AFSMs awarded to CFA members

David Allen, Andrew Cusack, Phillip De La Haye and Robert Smith have been recognised for decades of service to CFA and their communities.

Australian Fire Service Medals are awarded each year to recognise the service of paid and volunteer members of Australian fire services, and recipients are announced on Australia Day and the Queen’s Birthday.

Since joining CFA in 1974, David Allen has displayed exceptional commitment to his colleagues and the community in his service as a volunteer and staff member.  To use the words of another senior volunteer, David “has dedicated his life to CFA”.

His 35 years’ service includes 20 years as Romsey Group Officer, and Captain and Lieutenant of the Bolinda Monegeetta Fire Brigade. He was also a Lieutenant and Deputy Group Officer during Ash Wednesday, worked in IMT Operations during the North East fires, and as Romsey Group Officer and Acting Manager of Community Safety during the horrific Black Saturday bushfires.

Andrew Cusack has demonstrated his passion for CFA and volunteerism during 30 years as a member.

He has 18 years’ service as Group Officer for the Dartmoor Fire Brigades Group and is considered the SW leader in the promotion and adoption of training. Long before ‘safety first’ was a CFA watchword, Andrew was driving the need for OH&S and effective safety systems.  A highly experienced firefighter, Andrew also has worked tirelessly as the VFBA representative on state training committees.

For more than 42 years - 32 as an officer, Phillip De La Haye has devoted his energy, time and expertise to benefit CFA at brigade, group and region level. A respected Captain of the Hastings Fire Brigade for 12 years, Phil is passionate about members and their welfare, and is considered an extremely valuable resource in the area of Strike Team coordination.

In the days before Vicfire handled emergency fire calls, Phil’s sense of duty as Communications Officer saw him man the Group Radio Base Station (together with his wife, Julie) on a 24/7 basis for 365 days of the year to provide radio communications for the
14 group Brigades.

Robert Smith has been an outstanding member of CFA for more than four decades.  He has not only provided more than 45 years’ service as a brigade volunteer, he has also served as an employee for 29 years, saving many lives and property during significant fire operations.

He has held many senior brigade and group management roles including Lieutenant / Foreman, Captain and Deputy Group Officer and is a senior volunteer representative in the Region 7 Planning Committee, and on The Victorian Urban Fire Brigade Association and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria.

Robert also assisted in the development and construction of the new Ocean Grove Fire Station, representing the brigade in the planning process.

Congratulations to David, Andrew, Phillip and Robert.