Emergency services personnel who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to making their communities safer were recognised at the 2019 WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards held last night in Perth.
Awards were presented to individuals and groups across 14 categories covering the Fire Services, Volunteer Marine Rescue Service and State Emergency Service.
The Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue Service received the Award for Outstanding Group Operations in their service for their lifesaving efforts during the rescue of a man and his two young children stranded at sea off Steep Point earlier this year.
Tom Price State Emergency Service rescue team leader Simon Davidson received the Peter Keillor Award for displaying outstanding leadership during a series of complex search and rescue operations in the harsh, hot Pilbara landscape including Karijini National Park.
Kalgoorlie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service took out the Firefighting Team Achievement Award for their work over a fierce summer period when they fought tirelessly to contain a series of remote fires and ensure key freight links to the Eastern States remained open.
Bornholm Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade member Ted Rastrick received the Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award for his initiative in conducting a fire safety survey of all Torbay Hill residents and creating a fire safety map for the area.
Halls Creek resident Hubertus 'Huby' Vink received the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Award for his work in developing strategies to educate the community about reducing fuel loads and the number of deliberately lit fires.
The Career Fire and Rescue Service Award went to Senior Firefighter Greg Henry whose role in the development of a Core Skills Training Programme has contributed to a more professional and skilled service.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:
"I congratulate each of the recipients for their outstanding contribution to keeping Western Australians safe.
"Their achievements demonstrate selflessness, professionalism, compassion and, above all else, an unwavering commitment to protecting their communities.
"Volunteers play a vital role in responding to emergencies across our vast State, and I hope the admirable efforts of this year's recipients and finalists will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
"I was especially pleased to see two award winners from my electorate of Cockburn.
"I would like to congratulate Nikki Russell from Cockburn Marine Rescue on winning the Youth Achievement Award and Alex Corinaldesi from the Cockburn State Emergency Service for also winning the Youth Achievement award in his service.
"It's fantastic to see young people in my electorate who are not only community minded but willing to step up to take on big challenges that make a significant difference in their chosen emergency service."
Award recipients are recognised across three services:
Volunteer Marine Rescue Services Awards
Award for Outstanding Group Operations
Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue Service
Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement
Zac Slaughter, Port Hedland Volunteer Marine Rescue Service
Award for Youth Achievement
Nikki Russell, Cockburn Volunteer Marine Rescue Service
Volunteer Marine Rescue WA Commander Award
Carnarvon Marine Rescue Service
Department of Transport Award for Excellence in Marine Safety
Esperance Marine Rescue Service
Firefighting Awards
Murray Lang Bush Fire Service of WA Award
Ted Rastrick, Bornholm Bush Fire Brigade
Western Australia Career Fire and Rescue Service Award
Greg Henry, Fire and Emergency Services Academy
WA Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Award
Phillip Leach, Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
WA Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Award
Hubertus 'Huby' Vink, Halls Creek Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
Team Achievement Award
Kalgoorlie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Youth Achievement Award
Jarred Kowal, Bunbury Bush Fire Brigade and Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
State Emergency Service Awards
Peter Keillor Award
Simon Davidson, Tom Price State Emergency Service
Team Achievement Award
Peel/Harvey SES Recruitment Team
Youth Achievement Award
Alex Corinaldesi, Cockburn State Emergency Service
