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The incredible teamwork and rescue efforts of 24 CFA members during an extremely rare and confronting incident at an industrial site in Hastings last July has been commended.
Members from Langwarrin and Hastings Fire Brigades received a Unit Citation for Service on Monday (11 August) in recognition of their work to free a man who had been crushed and pinned by a 10-tonne roller – while also assisting a man who had become unconscious.
Incident Controller and Hastings Fire Brigade Captain Mike Willmott and Rescue Officer in Charge and Westernport Deputy Group Officer Craig Aiton were acknowledged for their meticulous planning, coordination and execution of the agreed approach under very stressful circumstances.
On arrival, Mike was relieved to see patient Peter Munyan awake and speaking, but the sight of his legs pinned under the roller spoke volumes to the complexities they were about to encounter.
With the threat of crush syndrome a very real possibility, it was vastly important that everyone worked together during the extrication. CFA members also assisted paramedics with another worker who became unconscious, who has since recovered and returned to work.
"The scene was fairly confronting but knowing that two people were in dire need of help – we knew what we needed to do. We got the rescue team on their way, made room for their equipment and appointed our roles on scene," Mike said.
"Craig worked closely with my Commander next to Peter, and we'd get radio messages from him requesting equipment they needed, and we'd bring it in for them.
"Fire Rescue Victoria arrived, and their expertise was just amazing, they were fantastic."
Mike said it was the largest emergency management team he had been involved in, with WorkSafe, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria also on scene, alongside a surgeon who was on standby for amputation. Thankfully, Peter was airlifted to hospital.
Craig emphasised the professional teamwork that was on display that day.
"I had a very, very good crew. My role was to liaise into the Emergency Management team about the progress of the actual extrication itself while directing the rescue operators," Craig said.
"Everyone just worked together so seamlessly to do what was needed to safely release him.
"It was out of the ordinary for us, and was very technically challenging, requiring multiple pieces of equipment. It was the first time a CFA brigade has had to use one of our new 50 tonne jacks."
Due to the physicality and the layout of the industrial environment, the rescue site was confined, with nine rescue operators from Langwarrin and eight from FRV working on the extrication.
"Because of the damage that the roller had caused and the nature of what is operated out there, everything was covered in grease and the whole area was slippery," Craig said.
"We also had the Hastings firefighters and the site's emergency management team securing and monitoring the unstable buildings above us. It certainly was multifaceted."
Given the condition they last time saw him in, Mike thought he would never see Peter walking again, let alone at the station's doorstep.
"I'm pleased to say Peter Munyan is in fantastic spirits. We were all gobsmacked to see him standing at the station with a smile on his face. It was absolutely brilliant," Mike said.
"Peter's dad, John had emailed a letter of thanks to us earlier in the year, however when he was in town visiting Peter from America in October 2024, he came down to the station to personally express his gratitude for the work we did to save his son's life.
"When he returned home, he kindly offered the brigade a donation, but due to it coming from overseas we weren't able to process it.
"When Peter's brother John flew over to see him in March this year, he too wanted to come down to the station to deliver the donation. Little did we know that when John arrived, he had Peter in the car with him. Peter got out, and using his walking frame, he walked from the car park into the station.
"All I remember is the treasurer saying to me 'wow I didn't expect that'."
An after-action review was completed with all agencies, and as a result, further training has been conducted at an FRV Station to familiarise each other with respective heavy rescue equipment.
"During the review, FRV mentioned it was one of the best interagency operations they'd ever been involved in. It was quite a complement," Mike said.
While they rarely accept recognition, Craig said it was an honour to receive the Unit Citation, as it is not just for the individual, but the team effort that went into this.
"While we don't do it for the thank you, when it is an exceptional and extraordinary circumstance, recognitions are a nice way to say well done for what you've done," Craig said.
"It's also for the people at the brigade who continuously do the training to improve themselves, in addition to their responsibility as a firefighter, so we get the best outcome for the patients.
"I'm pleased the FRV crew are receiving a Commissioner's Commendation too, because they played a pivotal role in this rescue and we couldn't have done it without them."
Group Officer David Breadmore and Acting Commander Blake Ross were also acknowledged for their actions with a Chief Officer's Commendation for their remarkable leadership on the day.
Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said all members should be extremely proud of their actions that day, and for collaborating so effectively with other agencies.
"They showed a superior level of skill and consideration and demonstrated to the highest level the spirit of CFA."
