Volunteers and staff from across Victoria’s State Emergency Service (VICSES) have been honoured for their work during the 2019-20 bushfires.
The VICSES members were awarded the National Emergency Medal by Governor-General of Australia David Hurley in recognition of their sustained and significant service during that event.
On Saturday, March 11, 57 recipients and 80 guests from the Hume region attended a ceremony at the Performing Arts and Convention Centre in Wangaratta.
The 2019-20 bushfires were declared a nationally significant emergency on December 2, 2020 which allowed VICSES staff and volunteers to be put forward for nominations for a medal or clasp.
Nominees for the medal receive a clasp if they have already received the medal from previous emergency events.
During the 2019-20 bushfires, VICSES staff and volunteers worked locally, regionally and were deployed interstate with a total of 535 days in service for this disaster which ravaged the east coast, killing 34 people and destroying 3500 homes.
SES personnel were deployed to fire grounds, staging areas, local command facilities, and fire stations, incident control centres and the state control centre.
Members worked closely alongside emergency management personnel from many agencies.
The presentation event was also an opportunity to thank and acknowledge family and loved ones, who enable volunteers and staff to consistently respond to community needs during times of emergency.
Congratulations to our VICSES staff and volunteers for their necessary work during our most challenging times.
This award from the people of Australia rightly acknowledges and memorialises their contribution through adversity for our communities and for our nation.