Emergency services volunteers honoured at memorial

Summary

Emergency services volunteers who have lost their lives protecting the community will be commemorated today at a special memorial, Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said.

Mr Grant said the memorial, at Mrs Macquarie’s Point in Sydney, has honoured volunteers since 2001.

“The Volunteers Memorial, which now bears the names of 90 volunteers, pays tribute to those who have lost their lives while protecting others in the community,” Mr Grant said.

“While I’m incredibly grateful that this this year no new names will be added to the memorial, it remains a sobering time for us to take pause and pay our respects.”

Mr Grant said there are more than 88,000 volunteers who make up the NSW Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Rescue Association and Marine Rescue NSW.

“Today is also an opportunity to recognise all our volunteers for their hard work, courage and commitment, and to not only thank them, but thank their families and employers for their continuing support,” Mr Grant said.

The memorial’s ‘Roll of Honour’, the community’s tribute to these volunteers, this year recognised the 50th anniversary of the death of three firefighters.

“Tom Chalmers, Captain of the Faulconbridge Brigade as well as Peter Hawkins and Greg Eley of the Warrimoo Bush Fire Brigade lost their lives in the North Springwood fires of 1968,” Mr Grant said.

“They are a poignant reminder of the inherent danger faced by our emergency services each day on the job. They help ensure the safety of others in the community and tragically, that sometimes comes at the cost of their own.”

Mr Grant said volunteers go out of their way to help people affected by natural disasters, be it a bushfire, storm or flood or those who find themselves lost or in accidents across the state.

“Today is an opportunity to honour the sacrifice made by our volunteers, those who haven’t made it home. Our thoughts are with their loved ones today,” Mr Grant said.

Contact Name: Brooke Eggleton

Contact Phone: 0437 472 455