State’s top firefighters celebrated at annual awards

A volunteer brigade that helped rescue more than 150 people during the Kimberley floods has been named Western Australia’s top firefighting team at the 2023 Western Australia Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards.

Fitzroy Crossing Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) received the Team Achievement Award at a ceremony in Perth last night, one of six firefighting categories in the annual awards recognising the contribution of WA’s emergency services.

The seven firefighters from Fitzroy Crossing VFES worked day and night in January, using boats to relocate people affected by the one-in-100-year flooding event.

Team member Zoe Creach received further recognition for her efforts during the floods with a Youth Achievement Award. The 19-year-old showed bravery well beyond her years and is an inspiration to other young volunteers across the State.

Toodyay Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Captain Ian MacGregor took out the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Individual Achievement Award for his response to a fatal crash in October last year.

Alex Espey, whose personal tragedy became the catalyst for an incredible career in emergency services, also received an individual achievement award.

The SWORD Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Captain suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body during a house fire in 1999 and draws on this experience to educate children on the devastating impacts of deliberately starting a fire.

Other winners included career firefighter Martin Sellar from Geraldton and Gelorup Bush Fire Brigade Captain Glenys Malatesta.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM said the award winners had displayed incredible commitment to their roles, going above and beyond to protect their communities.

“This year’s winners should feel incredibly proud of their achievements and service to our community,” Commissioner Klemm said.

“These stories of firefighters giving up their personal time to protect others highlights the selflessness and resilience of our emergency services personnel.

“The awards also celebrate the important role firefighters play in building a safer WA through education and community engagement.

“I extend my congratulations and sincere thanks to the 2023 award winners and finalists, but also to all Western Australian firefighters who display courage and devotion every day.”

The winners from the 2023 WAFES Awards in the firefighting categories are:

Firefighting Youth Achievement Award

Zoe Creach, Fitzroy Crossing Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
In a time of crisis, 19-year-old Zoe stepped up when she was needed most. One of the first responders during the 1-in-100-year flood that inundated Fitzroy Crossing in January, Zoe courageously helped rescue and relocate residents by boat as the floodwaters rose, including six children who were stranded at the local hotel. Zoe worked tirelessly to help evacuate people from the disaster zone and played a major role resupplying isolated communities.

Career Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award

Martin Sellar, Geraldton Fire Station
Monitoring the safety of teams coming in and out of burning structures, Entry Control Officers (ECOs) play a critical role in the success of any incident where firefighters wear breathing apparatus. Recognising the importance of this high-pressure job, Martin developed a new training package in 2022 that allows ECOs to build and maintain the skills they need to keep firefighting crews safe. The interactive eLearning resource uses scenario-based videos to make users feel like they are experiencing the stress of a real-life incident.

Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award

Glenys Malatesta, Gelorup Bush Fire Brigade
Leading a group of 11 South West volunteers on deployment to Fitzroy Crossing, Glenys’ meticulous and determined management style was invaluable while her crew helped clean up flood-affected houses by shovelling and scraping tonnes of mud in extremely challenging conditions. Keeping very busy over the recent high-threat period, Glenys also rolled up her sleeves to fight the Donnybrook bushfire in January – all the while working tirelessly behind the scenes to help secure a $1 million upgrade of the Gelorup Fire Station.

Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award

Ian MacGregor, Toodyay Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Captain of Toodyay VFRS for close to 25 years, Ian is a born leader and respected mentor who empowers volunteers to reach their full potential. Standing up for the wellbeing and safety of first responders, Ian’s empathetic leadership approach was on show when he attended a fatal crash involving a young family on Goomalling-Toodyay Road in October 2022. Ian led a multi-agency debrief for all first responders so everyone could process the traumatic incident together. He also organised mental health support.

Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Individual Achievement Award

Alex Espey, SWORD Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
More than 20 years ago, Alex suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body during a house fire, forcing him to undergo countless surgeries and many hours of rehabilitation as recently as June this year. What started out as a personal tragedy became the catalyst for a long and successful career in emergency services. Ian now uses his experience to educate children on the devastating consequences that can come from intentionally starting a fire.

Firefighting Team Achievement Award

Fitzroy Crossing Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
Fitzroy Crossing Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services showed exceptional bravery under extreme conditions when they rescued more than 150 people who were in danger of being swept up by the dangerous floodwaters of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie. Going above and beyond their duties, volunteers worked day and night to keep the community safe from disaster.

For more information about the 2023 WAFES Awards visit dfes.wa.gov.au/wafesawards