Albany volunteer firefighters recognised for decades of service at presentation night

Volunteer firefighters from across Albany’s 16 brigades were recognised for their service at the City of Albany’s Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Service Medal presentations last month.

Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm, City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington and chief executive Andrew Sharpe presented the awards at Retravision Stadium on August 19.

Bornholm brigade’s Michael Moran and Dennis Coombe, and South Coast brigade’s Garth Roberts were all awarded medals for 55 years of service.

King River brigade’s Alan Hawley, Youngs Siding fire control officer Kevin Martin and Torbay brigade’s Sheelagh Marshall were awarded medals for 50 years.

Kenneth Johnson received a special mention for his 61 years of service after joining the Drome bushfire brigade, now the Highway brigade, in 1961.

National Medal clasps were awarded to six volunteers who had risked their lives or safety to protect of support the community in times of emergency or natural disaster.

The recipients of the clasps were Redmond’s Jan Flett, Kalgan’s Keith Andrews, King River’s Sandy Lyons, King River’s Brian Green, Youngs Siding’s John Shapland and Manypeak’s Brian Lester.

City of Albany chief bushfire control officer Rob Lynn said the awards recognised the crucial role of volunteers in the community.

“It’s a small token of recognition for the service these people have given over a long period of time for the safety of their communities,” he said.

“Most of the bushfire brigades do it to help protect their communities, and these awards are just a small way of recognising that service.”

“In the country, the bushfire brigades are very important because they are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, they leave their work or families to attend fires.”