25/01/2024
Congrats John McGarvey at 304 Stn Gosford!
Congratulations to our firefighters who were awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) today for going beyond the call of duty in their careers. Their outstanding contributions are detailed below.
Station Officer Sally Foote, from Coffs Harbour, is our second-longest serving female firefighter and was our first female firefighter to be promoted to Station Officer. Her leadership was instrumental during Cyclone Debbie in 2017 in the Northern Rivers, the 2019/20 bushfires on the South Coast, and the 2021/22 Northern Rivers floods. In Sally's 35 years of service, she has served communities across NSW, paving the path for other female firefighters.
Captain Jamie Loader, from Wyong, began his career over 21 years ago. Jamie is renowned for creating an environment of confidence and high performance in his team. He has led Wyong Fire Station to victory in several State and National Firefighting Championships, showcasing the team's readiness for any challenges arising on the job. Jamie has a strong reputation for maintaining high standards in areas ranging from station administration and training to community engagement and emergency responses.
Senior Firefighter John McGarvey, based in Gosford, is about to enter his 18th year as a firefighter. He has built a reputation amongst his peers as a person who dedicates himself to the welfare of others. John has provided a wide range of critical incident interventions, education sessions, and one-on-one support opportunities to help other first responders overcome the challenges they face in their work and personal lives. He facilitated Mental Health First Aid training for firefighters following the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfire crisis. He played a crucial role in implementing the world's first online Mindfulness and Resilience program for first responders.
Assistant Commissioner Dave Lewis began his career more than 34 years ago. He has extensive experience as a front-line incident commander, dealing with fires, hazardous materials, road crashes and major bushfire crises. Dave's leadership and professionalism in Urban Search and Rescue are highly regarded globally. He has led by example in hazardous natural disaster zones, such as the 2009 Samoa Tsunami, the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake and the 2015 Vanuatu Cyclone disaster. Ever the mentor, Dave has consistently demonstrated compassion, patience and integrity throughout his firefighting career.
