Bravery awards for Far West members
Published Date: 05 May 2015
Summary
At the Awards Ceremony on 4 May 2015, 21 individual and seven group recipients are to be acknowledged by the Commissioner. Drawn from the Service's Regions and Headquarters these recipients are presented with Awards in recognition of outstanding bravery or service. The fourth of May is chosen each year for the Awards Ceremony as it is the Feast Day of St Florian, Patron Saint of Firefighters and International Firefighters' Day.
Member of the Far West Team were awarded for Bravery.
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Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery
Awarded to recognise an act of courage under hazardous circumstances where the risk to life has not been as significant as to warrant the Commissioner's Award for Valour but is worthy of recognition.
Captain Anthony (Tony) Lord
Cobar Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade, Far West Team, Region West
Just before 0800 hours on Sunday 17 August 2014 a call for assistance was received for a fire in the Occidental Hotel, Cobar.
Upon arrival at the scene, Captain Tony Lord of the Cobar Headquarters Brigade reported that the Hotel was well involved in fire and that all responding units were deploying to provide direct attack support to the Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters who were undertaking search and rescue operations within the residential areas of the Hotel.
At approximately 0905 hours a substantial brick facade along the southern wall of the building suddenly gave way, collapsing outwards onto two FRNSW firefighters and narrowly missing a NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) hose crew, who were forced to run from their position to avoid the falling masonry which showered across the road into buildings and onlookers on the opposite kerb. As a result of the wall collapse, one FRNSW firefighter sustained fatal injuries while the other was seriously injured.
Captain Lord provided initial assistance to an injured FRNSW firefighter and made safe his venting BA cylinder. He also coordinated fire protection for the rescue efforts underway to the second seriously injured FRNSW firefighter. The FRNSW Incident Controller, Tony Walkinshaw, commended Captain Lord's actions by saying they were of the highest calibre as he effectively moved in the Incident Controller role while Tony Walkinshaw coordinated the rescue operation.
Captain Anthony Lord is a worthy recipient of the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery.
Deputy Captain Timothy (Tim) Lord
Cobar Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade, Far West Team, Region West
Just before 0800 hours on Sunday 17 August 2014 a call for assistance was received for a fire in the Occidental Hotel, Cobar.
Upon arrival at the scene, the Cobar Headquarters Brigade Captain reported that the Hotel was well involved in fire and that all responding units were deploying to provide direct attack support to the Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters who were undertaking search and rescue operations within the residential areas of the Hotel.
At approximately 0905 hours a substantial brick facade along the southern wall of the building suddenly gave way, collapsing outwards onto two FRNSW firefighters and narrowly missing a NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) hose crew, who were forced to run from their position to avoid the falling masonry which showered across the road into buildings and onlookers on the opposite kerb. As a result of the wall collapse, one FRNSW firefighter sustained fatal injuries while the other was seriously injured.
Deputy Captain Tim Lord redeployed a hose line to provide fire protection to the rescue team. He continued to operate in extremely dangerous conditions due to the risk of a further wall collapse during this part of the operation.
Deputy Captain Timothy Lord is a worthy recipient of the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery.
Commissioner's Commendation for Service (Unit)
Awarded for service of a meritorious nature, or for outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties, administrative leadership, or for exemplary performance of a specific difficult project or task, not involving bravery.
Anthony (Tony) Lord, Timothy (Tim) Lord, Travis Buckman, Shane Jones, Robert Cummins, Michael Davies, Joel Mahwhinney, Krystie Clarke-Smith, David Snelson, Christopher Snelson and Ian Maidens
Cobar Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade, Geandale Rural Fire Brigade and Far West Team, Region West
At approximately 0800 hours on Sunday 17 August 2014 a call for assistance was received for a fire in the Occidental Hotel, Cobar.
Initial units from the Cobar Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade, Geandale Rural Fire Brigade and a Far West Team Officer responded to provide firefighting support to Station 256 Cobar Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) units who were also responding to the incident.
Upon arrival at the scene, they were deployed to provide direct attack support to the FRNSW firefighters who were undertaking search and rescue operations within the building. As fire intensity increased all firefighters retreated and commenced defensive firefighting operations.
At approximately 0905 hours a brick facade on the Hotel suddenly collapsed on to Marshall Street, crushing two FRNSW firefighters and narrowly missing a NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) hose crew who were operating nearby. As a result of this event, one FRNSW firefighter sustained fatal injuries, whilst the other was seriously injured.
The immediate impact of this event upon members of Station 256 Cobar FRNSW was devastating and as a result NSW RFS personnel assumed control of the incident and maintained an effective operational response capability until later relieved by additional responding FRNSW units.
The Cobar Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade, Geandale Rural Fire Brigade and Far West Team are worthy recipients of the Commissioner's Commendation for Service (Unit).
Commissioner's Certificate of Commendation (Unit)
Awarded to recognise service or outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties, administrative leadership, or exemplary performance of a specific project or task. The Certificate of Commendation may be awarded to an individual or unit for service beyond the scope of responsibility normally expected of that person or unit in their assigned duties and is therefore worthy of acknowledgement and commendation.
Bourke Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade, Geandale Rural Fire Brigade, Nyngan Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade and Far West Team
Region West
At approximately 0800 hours on Sunday 17 August 2014 a call for assistance was received for a fire in the Occidental Hotel, Cobar. At about 0905 hours a brick facade on the southern wall of the Hotel suddenly collapsed on to Marshall Street, crushing two Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters and narrowly missing a NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) hose crew who were operating nearby. As a result of this event, one FRNSW firefighter sustained fatal injuries, whilst the other was seriously injured.
Additional resources were requested, with both Bourke and Nyngan Headquarters Rural Fire Service Brigades arriving on scene at 1145 hours. They provided assistance and relief to the on-scene crews and proceeded to assist with firefighting activities as required until relieved later that day.
Staff from the Far West Team provided assistance, logistical support, liaison with response organisations and Cobar Shire Council. The Team also supplied communications support for fire ground operations and reporting procedures.
Critical incident support was administered by a local CISS Officer and other members of the Far West Team to the family of the injured firefighters, crew members and other personnel in various locations. This support continued for some weeks following the event.
Cobar is a close knit community and the professional manner of those members who provided a response to this devastating incident is a credit to all.
The Bourke Headquarters, Geandale and Nyngan Headquarters Rural Fire Brigades and Far West Team are worthy recipients of the Commissioner's Certificate of Commendation (Unit).
