MORE than 100 Limestone Coast Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers will have their service nationally recognised for their selfless acts during the 2019-20 summer of bushfires by being awarded the National Emergency Medal.
The medal will be awarded to 116 CFS volunteers in the Limestone Coast who served five or more days during the summer of 2019-20 fighting fires in either Queensland, New South Wales or South Australia’s Kangaroo Island.
CFS Region 5 Commander John Probert said the awarding of the medal is fantastic recognition of CFS volunteer efforts especially during the summer of 2019-20.
“Besides fighting fires in their own district many served right across Australia; in fact, working with bushfires, we had people that went from NSW to Kangaroo Island and Keilira,” Mr Probert said.
“It’s a great testament of the Australian spirit that when one of our neighbours are in strife, we go and help them out and it’s great to see our local volunteers and staff recognised for the work they have put it.
“It’s rare that our volunteers get the the recognition that they deserve and this is recognition from a Federal level for their work during that disastrous fire season.”
CFS Assistant Chief Officer Brett Loughlin also acknowledged the service of CFS volunteers.
“The fires of 2019-20 heavily affected many of our volunteers, and the National Emergency Medal is a symbol of recognition of their sacrifices and commitment to helping Australians,” Mr Loughlin said.
“Many of our volunteers deployed to Queensland, followed up with several rounds of the NSW fires, then answered the call when SA experienced some of our worst fires in many years.
“Due to the significance of these medals, with COVID restrictions in consideration, we will endeavour to present as many of the recipients their medals in person where possible,” Mr Loughlin said.
The CFS expects to receive the medals in the New Year.
The medals will have a clasp inscribed with ‘Bushfires 19-20’.
The National Emergency Medal criteria is defined by the Australian Government and National Emergency Medal Committee, and supported by the Governor-General.
Service must be in the protection of lives and property, or in the service of interests that are not their own, in direct response to the emergency.
Earlier this year the New South Wales Premier individually sent a Citation to CFS volunteers who served in that State fighting its bushfire in 2019.
