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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-11-27 Daily Xml
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EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL

Ms SIMMONS (Morialta) (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. What has the government done to recognise emergency services personnel who have gone above and beyond the call of duty?

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:37): I thank the member for Morialta for her question. On Monday I had the pleasure of acknowledging the courage, passion and dedication of 14 South Australians by presenting them with an Emergency Services Medal. I also had the honour of presenting 18 other recipients with a ministerial commendation.

The South Australian Emergency Services Medal is given to an individual who has demonstrated distinguished and/or meritorious service of the highest order, in recognition of his or her significant contribution to the emergency services in South Australia, while a ministerial commendation recognises significant effort, bravery or service and is awarded for meritorious or courageous action. This year's recipients come from the Country Fire Service, Metropolitan Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving South Australia, and the South Australian Ambulance Service.

The awards have been running for eight years and reflect the exceptional acts of bravery and outstanding service that volunteers and paid staff make to the emergency services sector and to community safety. These awards recognise people like Peter Marshman of South Brighton, an aerial services officer from Surf Life Saving SA, and a constituent of the member for Bright. Peter has served at the state level for more than 34 years. Also recognised was Wayne Atkins of Athelstone, a commander of the CFS Brukunga Unit, who was responsible for the safe medivac of a number of firefighters who were injured at Willunga earlier this year. I understand he is a constituent of the member for Morialta.

Whether it involves rescuing someone from a bushfire, a cliff face or treacherous seas, or finding new and improved ways to better service and protect the community, these 34 individuals and groups have helped to build community resilience and make South Australia a safer place. Since 2002 the government has significantly increased funding from the Community Emergency Services Fund to all of our emergency organisations, and it continues to provide strong support to all emergency services personnel. As the backbone of the state's emergency services capacity, our emergency services personnel are a formidable force that focuses on the safety and security of all South Australians.

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