Honouring Young People in Emergency Services

Summary

Young volunteers from Bowral to Bulahdelah and all across the State were recognised at the 2019 Young People in Emergency Services Awards held at NSW Parliament House.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the award program is an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable role of young people in the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and State Emergency Service (SES).

“I am pleased to announce the 2019 Cadet of the Year recipients are NSW RFS cadet Olivia Cole and joint NSW SES winners, cadets Seleana Murphy and Lucca De Almeida,” Mr Elliott said.

“These exceptional young people have been recognised for their outstanding participation and achievements in each Services Secondary School Cadet Program, in partnership with their local High School.”

Mr Elliott also recognised NSW RFS volunteers Charlie Ross and Thomas Breed and NSW SES volunteer Peter Christensen for winning the Young Volunteer of the Year awards. He said it was appropriate these cadets and young volunteers be honoured during National Volunteer Week.

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said it was great to see the engagement and commitment of young people in emergency service volunteering.

“The effort and enthusiasm of young members in the NSW RFS is significant and these awards acknowledge their hard work, camaraderie and community participation,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

NSW SES Commissioner Kyle Stewart said he was also pleased to see increasing numbers of young people joining emergency service organisations such as NSW SES and NSW RFS.

“The professional training and diverse experience both Service’s provide, means that young people like this can take their enthusiasm for helping the community and turn it into a professional career,” Commissioner Stewart said.

Contact Name: Leigh van den Broeke

Contact Phone: 0408 715 617