General News
18 July, 2024
Maryborough brigade honours firefighters
Earlier this month, Maryborough Fire Brigade Captain Darryl Wagstaff became the unit’s only member to receive one of CFA’s highest honours. In a testament to his courage, Captain Wagstaff was presented with the Chief Officer’s Commendation on...
Earlier this month, Maryborough Fire Brigade Captain Darryl Wagstaff became the unit’s only member to receive one of CFA’s highest honours.
In a testament to his courage, Captain Wagstaff was presented with the Chief Officer’s Commendation on July 5, at the brigade’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
He received the accolade — the first from the brigade to do so — for acting in a “commendable manner” at a local house fire, five years ago.
On May 31, 2019, the certificate states, first responders from the Maryborough brigade encountered a dwelling fully engulfed in flames with part of the roof structure collapsed.
While the crew promptly set up a defensive fire attack, Captain Wagstaff was informed by “an occupant of the home... that his elderly mother was still inside the house and had collapsed in the laundry while trying to escape”.
Without any hesitation, and more importantly in the absence ofadequate protective gear such as a hose line or breathing apparatus, Captain Wagstaff forcibly entered the premises.
Going in through the laundry door, he located the woman and undertook a “snatch and grab rescue to remove her from the situation”.
She had suffered severe burns and was unconscious at the time.
The 81-year-old was then taken to The Alfred hospital via air ambulance in a critical condition — a short time later, she sadly passed away.
“Unfortunately she succumbed to her injuries after a couple of weeks but I think the comforting part is that her family was around her during that time which wouldn’t have happened if [we] hadn’t taken her out,” Captain Wagstaff said.
When he risked his life to save another’s, the last thing Captain Wagstaff thought about was receiving an award.
“We do what we do because it’s important — not because we want to be recognised so I was a bit surprised and taken aback when they announced it,” he said.
“I feel really humbled and proud that somebody thought enough of me to nominate me for this.
“That incident was a team effort and this commendation also puts things into perspective, especially in regards to how very important what we do is, to the community.”
Alongside Captain Wagstaff, others from the brigadealso received significant awards, including long-time members Philip Burt and Kevin Henderson — with the pair made life members of the brigade.
With a combined 72 years’ worth of experience between them, both Philip and Kevin are familiar faces around the brigade and were equally surprised to be made life members.
“It’s community — we’re there to support the community and give back to them, that’s what it’s all about for me,” Philip said.
“It’s a privilege to be made a life member for sure but it’s highly unexpected, it brought tears to me.”
Originally joining the Clunes Fire Brigade in 1971, Philip later signed up with Maryborough following the 1985 bushfires and has been a permanent fixture since.
He said the brigade has grown to become like a family and is grateful for their support.
“The biggest fires I’ve personally been involved in with Maryborough have been in Sydney and in the state’s north-east when I went away on strike teams, they’re certainly memories that stand out to me,” he said.
“I’d like to thank the members of the brigade in particular because they’ve been your backstop for so long and we’ve always been led by our Captain who’s been in the role for so long, it’s a great support.”
Philip’s sentiments are shared by Kevin, who felt “extremely honoured’ being made a life member.
“It was a shock, when the Captain told me to come along to the AGM I thought there’d be an award there for the person who mucked up the most and it would go to me,” he said.
“I’m extremely honoured, that’s for sure.”
Both Philip and Kevin have held a number of officer’s positions with the brigade over the years and have also received their fair share of awards in their time.
Despite this, the duo have no plans on finishing up with the brigade any time soon.
Their peers were also recognised on the day, with CFA service awards given out to: firefighter Isla Douglas (five years), secretary Rebecca Murray (five years), firefighter Samantha Collins (35 years), treasurer Greg Greenwood (10 years), firefighter Brad Lockhart (20 years), and firefighter Zac Hulls (five years).
Additionally, Lieutenant Jason Sinclair took home theFirefighter of the Year award, Captains encouragement and Spanner award was give to Ms Murray, and Dan Walton received the New Recruit Firefighter title.
