Millmerran and Cecil Plains SES personnel were presented with certificates of appreciation by Toowoomba Region Mayor, Paul Antonio for their efforts to help combat the grass fire west of Millmerran, over four days in late January.
SES Local Controller John Harrison joined Mayor Antonio to formally thank the SES volunteers – Steve Goulding, Viv Pedersen, Kathryn Slocombe and Paul Farrington of Millmerran group and Cecil Plains group members Alicia Flanagan, Patrick Fox, Rosemarie Ross and group leader Jim Ross.
Assistant Commissioner Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Tom Dawson and fellow officials added their thanks to the volunteers.
Mayor Antonio recounted his own efforts battling blazes over the years and said he knew he could count on the support of SES volunteers, “I appreciate the value of SES volunteers and understand the importance of your work backing the Rural Fire Service in these emergencies,” Cr Antonio said. “Thankfully no one was injured and there was minimal property loss. Thank you for stepping up and helping other people in the community.”
Assistant Commissioner Tom Dawson said the fire fighting response was a team effort. “SES volunteers are well trained and drilled for helping in these situations,” Assistant Commissioner Dawson said. “As well as looking after fire fighters they helped with communication, worked in a chainsaw squad and made the fire ground safe SES volunteers stay until the job is done and merge well with bigger teams.”
Photo: Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio (back left) and SES Local Controller John Harrison (back right) present certificates of appreciation to Cecil Plains group leader Jim Ross (back) and (front from left) Steve Goulding, Viv Pedersen, Rosemarie Ross and Patrick Fox. Absent: Kathryn Slocombe, Paul Farrington and Alicia Flanagan.
Submitted by:
Angus Moffatt
Media Relations Officer
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
Toowoomba Regional Council
