Dedication and service honoured

The efforts of two local emergency services personnel have been honoured with prestigious medals.

Lynda Elms and Damian Buswell, both 53, received the National Medal and Diligent Service Medal from Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis in Perth on July 9.

Mr Francis said the medals were in recognition of the physically and emotionally demanding work both volunteers put in to protecting their communities.

Ms Elms and Mr Buswell said the long-service medals were a chance to reflect on 25 years of interesting and enjoyable work.

“I love my job and don’t think too many people can say that, or that they have been happy doing it for 25 years,” Ms Elms said.

Starting out in May 1988 as a part-time administrative officer, Ms Elms is now the State Emergency Service Great Southern area manager.

“The SES was looking for someone to answer the phones for a couple of days and I just worked my way up from there,” she said.

In February of the same year, Mr Buswell began his career as a firefighter and is now the DFES Great Southern area officer.