Emergency Services volunteers honoured at Memorial Service
25th October 2009Ministerial media release
Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan today congratulated the State's emergency services volunteers for their skill and commitment and gave thanks that none had lost their lives while serving the community over the past year.
Attending the ninth annual NSW Emergency Services Memorial Service in Sydney today, Mr Whan said no new names had been added to the 84 inscribed on the stone Volunteers Memorial Honour Roll of volunteers who had died in the course of their duties.
"The fact that no emergency service volunteers have lost their lives while serving their community during the past 12 months is a proud achievement, given the conditions in which they work," Mr Whan said.
"It is a tribute to their expertise, bravery and commitment to safety.
"Sadly, this does not mean the emergency services have not been touched by tragedy, with NSW Fire Brigades on-call firefighter Andrew Turnbull dying at a fire at Fingal Heads last Friday and SES Deputy Commissioner Greg Slater in a bike race on September 13.
"Our condolences are with their families, friends and colleagues and the emergency services family," Mr Whan said.
The Volunteers Memorial Service pays tribute to the State's 80,000 emergency services volunteers - particularly those who have lost their lives while on duty - from the NSW Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Rescue Association, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol.
Mr Whan said the State's emergency services volunteers often put their own personal safety at risk to assist and protect others.
"By its very nature, much of their work is inherently dangerous and often conducted in the worst possible weather and stressful conditions," he said.
"Time and time again our volunteers put themselves in harm's way to respond to emergencies both in our own State and around the nation, as we saw when more than 3500 volunteers were deployed to the Victorian bush fires in February.
"I again thank all those who have worked so hard for their commitment to helping damaged communities throughout the year."
Mr Whan said the State Government and emergency service agencies had an unswerving commitment to the safety of all their members.
"But today's Memorial Service is a reminder that the price of ensuring the community is protected in times of trouble, emergency and disaster is sometimes very high," he said.
"Today we, as a community, have the opportunity to thank our volunteers for their commitment and hard work on behalf of us all. I wish them all well for their safety during this summer's bushfire and storm season."
The Volunteers Memorial was unveiled by the NSW Governor, Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC in June, 2001.
Emergency Services volunteers honoured at Memorial Service (PDF 33KB)