Country Fire Authority (CFA) staff members and firefighters from across Hume and Whittlesea were recently awarded national emergency medals for their efforts in the 2019-20 Australian bushfire crisis.
At two ceremonies on November 12 and 13, 340 volunteer firefighters and CFA staff joined more than 5500 CFA members to receive the honour for the 2019-20 fires.
The national emergency medal recognises significant or sustained service to others in a nationally significant Australian emergency.
CFA District 14 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tim Holland said they were an important recognition of the valiant efforts of CFA members.
“The national emergency medal is a formal recognition that Australia appreciates the efforts and contributions of CFA members during the 2019-20 bushfire crisis,” he said.
“It is a great honour to receive this medal and I hope it goes a small way to thanking our members for their service.”
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan spoke of his pride for the CFA members’ efforts.
“The 2019-20 fires devastated East Gippsland and the north-east of Victoria,” he said.
“But from that crisis arose the most remarkable human spirit of generosity and ‘lending a hand’.
“Our medal recipients have exemplified that spirit, and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.
“Whether they joined a firefighting strike team, worked in an incident control centre or provided other assistance to affected communities – every contribution was valuable [and] made a real difference.”
