1. Home
2. Incidents and warnings
3. Latest news and updates
4. Four firefighters recognised for exemplary leadership, professionalism and public safety expertise in Australia Day honours - New Wales

Four firefighters recognised for exemplary leadership, professionalism and public safety expertise in Australia Day honours - New Wales

Published: 26 Jan 2024 06:28am

Four veteran firefighters have been honoured with prestigious Australian Fire Service Medals (AFSM’s) for their extraordinary leadership skills and dedication to duty, as part of today's Australia Day Awards.

The AFSM recognises firefighters who have regularly performed above and beyond expectations during their distinguished careers with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW).

Honoured this Australia Day are:

Assistant Commissioner – Operational Capability, David John Lewis

Assistant Commissioner Lewis began his career with FRNSW more than 34 years ago. He has extensive experience as a front-line incident commander, dealing with fires, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) emergencies, road crashes and major bushfire crises.

In charge of FRNSW’s Urban Search and Rescue capabilities, and the organisation’s local and international disaster response, his leadership and professionalism are highly-regarded and often sought-after globally.

A/C Lewis has led by example in hazardous natural disaster zones, such as the 2009 Samoa Tsunami, the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake and the 2015 Vanuatu Cyclone disaster.

He has consistently demonstrated selfless leadership qualities, compassion, patience and integrity throughout his firefighting career, mentoring personnel and successfully managing FRNSW’s readiness to assist communities in need, both locally and across the globe.

Station Officer Sally Jane Foote – Coffs Harbour

Sally Foote remains the second-longest serving female firefighter in FRNSW ranks and was the first female firefighter within the organisation to be promoted to the rank of Station Officer.

During more than 35 years of selfless commitment to public safety in New South Wales, Station Officer Foote has served numerous communities as far afield as Turvey Park in Wagga Wagga, the Sydney CBD, Broken Hill, Tamworth, Albury and now Coffs Harbour, often the first female firefighter at those stations.

She has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership, on occasion in challenging circumstances, paving the way for other women to follow.

Station Officer Foote’s knowledge, management and guidance proved instrumental during emergencies such as the impact of Cyclone Debbie in 2017 across the state’s Northern Rivers; the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfire threat to the Eden area, on the state’s south coast; and the 2021/22 Northern Rivers floods.

Serving as a role model for FRNSW’s growing ranks of female firefighters, Station Officer Foote is regarded as a valued champion of diversity and inclusion within the organisation.

Captain Jamie Grant Loader – Wyong Fire Station

Captain Loader began his FRNSW career more than 21 years ago. He has consistently displayed strong leadership skills in areas such as community prevention, risk reduction, planning and engagement.

He is renowned for providing mentorship and support, promoting an environment of confidence; teamwork; and high performance and capabilities amongst his Deputy Captains and On-Call Firefighters.

In recent years, this has resulted in numerous State and National Firefighting Championship successes for the Wyong Fire and Rescue crew, highlighting its readiness and ability to protect the community.

Captain Loader has a strong reputation for maintaining high standards in areas ranging from station administration and training to community engagement and emergency responses.

Senior Firefighter John Columba McGarvey – Gosford Fire Station

About to enter his 18th year as a FRNSW firefighter, John McGarvey has fostered a reputation amongst his peers as a person who has dedicated himself to the welfare of others.

He has constantly demonstrated a shared ideology of community, diversity, and mental health awareness and is committed to the role firefighters play with assisting the community with fire prevention.

Senior Firefighter McGarvey has provided a wide range of critical incident interventions, education sessions, and one-on-one support opportunities, where he has leveraged his expertise and insights to help other first responders overcome the challenges they face in their work and personal lives.

He was a finalist in the 2018 Commissioner’s Safety Awards for excellence in Workplace Health and Safety and was also a finalist in the Rotary NSW and ACT Emergency Services Community Awards in the category of Emergency Service Officer of the Year.

In 2019, he led a team from FRNSW and the Mindarma training program which was awarded first place in the Australian Fire Authorities Council’s (AFAC) award for leading practice in Mental Health for Resilience at Work (RAW).

Senior Firefighter McGarvey also facilitated Mental Health First Aid training for firefighters following the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfire crisis and played a key role in the implementation of the world’s first online Mindfulness and Resilience program for first responders.

His contributions to the firefighting community of New South Wales have been described by his superiors as nothing short of exceptional.

FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, has praised the four dedicated officers for their tremendous service to date.

“These firefighters regularly go above and beyond the expectations of the job and they each have made our organisation better and improved our ability to serve the community.

“I would like to express my pride in the example they’re setting for others within FRNSW, it’s truly exceptional.”

Media note: please contact media@fire.nsw.gov.au for interview requests

Updated: 26 Jan 2024 06:33am

listView more incidents