Emergency Service volunteers honoured at memorial

Summary

Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant today paid tribute to the men and women who have died while performing duties as emergency service volunteers.

Minister Grant said this year marks the 17th annual Emergency Services Volunteer Memorial Service at Mrs Macquarie’s Point since the first dedication in 2001.

“The Volunteers Memorial pays tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting others,” Mr Grant said.

“Today we recognise our volunteers for their hard work, courage and commitment. We thank them, their families and employers for their continuing support.”

In NSW more than 88,000 volunteers from the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS), NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES), Volunteer Rescue Association and Marine Rescue NSW answer the call to help when disasters strike.

Mr Grant said sadly two names have been added to the Memorial’s Roll of Honour this year.

“Firefighter Jitte Nieuwenhuis, an active member of the NSW RFS Krawarree Brigade for 20 years, passed away in November 2016 while attending a fire in a remote region of the Deua National Park,” Mr Grant said.

“Jennifer Hankinson, a member of the Northern Rivers Aviation Support Brigade and Alstonville Brigade, as well as an active member of the NSW SES Ballina Unit, passed away while undertaking maintenance work with her crew at the Casino Air Base in June this year.

“Both Jitte and Jennifer were valued members of their Brigades, the Service and their local communities.

“The Honour Roll now bears the names of 90 volunteers, and it serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent danger faced by our emergency services.

“Our volunteers go out of their way to help people caught up natural disasters, be it a bushfire, storm or flood or those who find themselves lost or in accidents. We honour the sacrifice made by volunteers who haven’t come home.”

Contact Name: Douglas Martin

Contact Phone: 0438 371 354