NSW emergency services personnel who have lost their lives on duty have been honoured at a memorial service at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in Sydney.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib joined Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Trent Curtin and Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Dan Duemmer, as well as representatives of all emergency services, for the 26th annual NSW Emergency Service Volunteers Memorial Service to commemorate the fallen.
The names of 12 emergency services volunteers were this year added to the memorial, including 10 RFS volunteers and two Marine Rescue NSW members.
The names of Marine Rescue NSW members William (Bill) Ewen and Frank Petsch, both from Ballina, have been added to the memorial following their deaths while responding to an emergency on the NSW north coast earlier this year.
There are now 137 names engraved on the memorial, which was established in 1999 to honour the fallen men and women from the state’s volunteer emergency services, including the NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW and the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association.
“Today we pause and honour the memory of the men and women whose names have been added to the Volunteer Memorial this year. Their service will never be forgotten,” said Minister Dib.
“The loss of these dedicated individuals is a tragedy for their families and friends, as well as the communities they served. And it is a reminder of the dangers they put themselves in to protect others.
“While the annual Memorial Service is a time for reflection, it is also a time to take great pride in the fact that across NSW, members of the community continue to selflessly commit themselves to the service of their neighbours.”
Commissioner Curtin said the day recognised the dedication and sacrifice of volunteers who gave so much to serve their communities across NSW.
“I would like to personally thank the families of our volunteers, who sacrifice time with their loved ones so they can serve the community,” he said.
“Today we remember Peter Fenning, Christopher Little, Lisa McSweeney, Philip Dunn, John Ebbott, Stuart Clark, George Slennett, Matthew Hunter, Neil Burnett and Roger Jennings.
“Each of these volunteers made a lasting contribution to their brigades, their communities and the wider RFS.
“Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Deputy Commissioner Duemmer said Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch had shown extraordinary commitment to their community through their service with Marine Rescue NSW.
“Their loss has been deeply felt by their families, their fellow volunteers and the community they served,” he said.
“Bill and Frank’s legacy was built over years of selfless service, friendship, commitment and care for others. They were men who embodied the very best of Marine Rescue NSW and of the community.
“Bill and Frank answered the call to help others, as Marine Rescue volunteers do every day, and their dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
