At the Royal Humane Society award ceremony today, volunteer firefighters from Greenvale, Craigieburn, Epping, Point Cook, Reefton and Nar Nar Goon CFA were presented with Certificates of Merit for acts of bravery during the February 2009 bushfires and also a flood rescue in February last year.
This involved the rescue of three teenagers from drowning in the flooded Cardinia Creek,
At 12.10pm, due to torrential rain, the Cardinia Creek had swollen to a deep and fast flowing river. Three teenagers entered the creek and were swept away by the strong current and carried downstream.
Two of the teenagers were washed into a cyclone fence on land flooded by the creek while the other was swept into deeper, fast flowing water.
Pakenham SES volunteer and Victoria Police Senior Constable Andrew Macreadie (awarded Bronze Medal), together with Nar Nar Goon volunteers, responded to the emergency.
Sen Const Macreadie and Mr Cain entered the water and cut the cyclone fence to immediately rescue two of the teenagers.
Sen Const Macreadie and Mr Jansen then donned rescue harnesses and life jackets and proceeded into the fast-flowing water while the rest of the crews managed the rope system on shore under the management of Mr Craig.
Once in the water, Sen Const Macreadie went out to the teenager who was holding onto a power pole that was now located in the middle of the creek, while Mr Jansen went about setting up a rope recovery system in the water.
Sen Const Macreadie and Mr Jansen fitted a harness to the teenager and Mr Craig entered the water and moved to about half way between the shoreline and the teenager so he could help Sen Const Macreadie and Mr Jansen bring him to safety
During the rescue Mr Cain remained in the water looking out for floating debris and providing assistance to Sen Const Macreadie and Mr Jansen.
Former Nar Nar Goon Captain and current Group Officer Phillip Craig said the rescue was a partnership between the CFA and SES.
“Beaconsfield Fire Brigade also responded and assisted us to provide a safe environment for Andrew and Marc entering the water,” he said.
“It really was a joint effort and a good example of how that can result in a successful outcome.”
At the awards ceremony (17/02/12), Mr Craig said receiving a Certificate of Merit was an honour.
“It was very humbling to have been nominated in the first place,” he said.
“We were just doing what we do all of the time so the award was really unexpected.”
For more details about the awards and other recipients, go to http://www.rhsa.org.au/
Related stories:
Bravery awards for Cambarville fire
Bravery awards for Humevale fire
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