Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan, Bullsbrook Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service’s Chris Unstead and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm. All photos: DFES
Camera IconEmergency Services Minister Francis Logan, Bullsbrook Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service’s Chris Unstead and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm. All photos: DFES Credit: Supplied/Sara Hannagan Photography

Fire and Emergency Services Awards honour community heroes across WA

Staff WriterNorth Coast Times

WANNEROO Joondalup SES volunteer Stephen Faulkner was among the community heroes recognised at the Fire and Emergency Services Awards this month.

Mr Faulkner won the Peter Keillor Award, which recognised volunteer excellence, achievement and enthusiasm and was first awarded in 1995.

The award was named after Murray State Emergency Service Unit volunteer Peter Keillor, who used a wheelchair following an injury received during active service in Vietnam, in recognition of his courage, willpower, dedication and respect for others.

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Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan, Fremantle Sea Rescue Group president Mark Zuvela and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm
Camera IconEmergency Services Minister Francis Logan, Fremantle Sea Rescue Group president Mark Zuvela and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm Credit: Supplied/Sara Hannagan Photography

Individuals and groups received awards across 13 categories covering fire, volunteer marine rescue and State emergency services at the September 7 event.

Sarah Hamilton from the Belmont-Victoria Park SES unit won the youth achievement award for her initiative and perseverance to create a SES badge for Scouts.

Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan, finalist Daniel Nissen, winner Sarah Hamilton, finalist Oliver Pedlar and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm.
Camera IconEmergency Services Minister Francis Logan, finalist Daniel Nissen, winner Sarah Hamilton, finalist Oliver Pedlar and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm. Credit: Supplied/Sara Hannagan Photography

Volunteer Marine Rescue WA commander Jeff Howe, who is a former Two Rocks Volunteer Marine Rescue Group commander, received the DFES award for outstanding individual contribution.

Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan, Volunteer Marine Rescue WA commander Jeff Howe and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm
Camera IconEmergency Services Minister Francis Logan, Volunteer Marine Rescue WA commander Jeff Howe and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm Credit: Supplied/Sara Hannagan Photography

The VMRWA award for outstanding group operations went to Fremantle Sea Rescue Group for technology that allows it to monitor and transmit 11 marine radio channels from any smart phone, tablet or computer.

Chris Unstead from the Bullsbrook Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service won the WA volunteer fire and emergency services award.

Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan said nominees has displayed qualities that made them exceptional in their respective fields, such as team work, bravery, sacrifice and selflessness.

Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan, Barbara Keillor (wife Peter Keillor), Wanneroo Joondalup SES volunteer Stephen Faulkner and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm.
Camera IconEmergency Services Minister Francis Logan, Barbara Keillor (wife Peter Keillor), Wanneroo Joondalup SES volunteer Stephen Faulkner and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm. Credit: Supplied/Sara Hannagan Photography

“Without volunteers it would be impossible to respond to fires, floods, storms, cyclones, land and sea searches and rescues,” he said.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

Volunteer Marine Rescue Service WA

DFES Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution: Jeff Howe ESM – Volunteer Marine Rescue WA Commander

VMRWA Award for Outstanding Group Operations: Fremantle Sea Rescue Group

VMRWA Commander’s Award: Volunteer Marine Rescue Training Group

Department of Transport Award for Excellence in Marine Safety: Port Hedland Volunteer Marine Rescue

Fire Service

WA Youth Achievement Award: Callum O’Connell, Tom Price Emergency Services Cadet Corp

WA Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Award: Gyula Bogar, Boyup Brook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service

Murray Lang Bush Fire Service of WA Award: Bradley Warr, Dwellingup Bush Fire Brigade

WA Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Award: Chris Unstead, Bullsbrook Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service

Team Achievement Award: Tom Price Bush Fire Brigade and Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service

WA Career Fire and Rescue Service Award: Phil Brandrett, DFES District Officer, Lower South West

State Emergency Service

Peter Keillor Award: Stephen Faulkner, Wanneroo Joondalup SES

Team Achievement Award: National Disaster Rescue Challenge 2017, WA SES Team

Youth Achievement Award: Sarah Hamilton, Belmont-Victoria Park SES