TWO of the city’s retained firefighters have been honoured with the Metropolitan Fire Service Exemplary Service Medal for their dedicated contributions to the Mount Gambier community.
South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service retained senior firefighter Darren McPhail and retired retained firefighter Gary Cutting were both presented with their medals during a brief ceremony at the MFS station on Tuesday night.
Regional Commander Mark Searcy said Mr Cutting was eligible to receive the medal before he retired.
“The exemplary service medal was introduced in 2012 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the MFS,” Mr Searcy said.
“The medal represents outstanding service and commitment and features the MFS star based on Saint John or the Maltese Cross.
“The logo is symbolic of the cross displayed by the knights of Saint John on their shields and clothing during the crusades, dating back to the year 1095.”
The tip of each cross and star represent the eight “knightly virtues” – dexterity, explicitness, gallantry, loyalty, observation, perseverance, sympathy and tact.
“These virtues are embedded in the MFS vision to create a safer South Australia and each firefighter wears the logo with pride,” Mr Searcy said.
“The medal must be earned and recipients of the medal must not have appeared before the MFS disciplinary committee or have any record of misconduct.”
