Two brave firefighters who risked their lives in a perilous river rescue have been honored among more than 120 individuals as part of the Fire and Rescue NSW's (FRNSW) St Florian’s Day awards.
These awards acknowledge exemplary actions in ensuring public safety.
Heroic River Rescue
FRNSW on-call firefighters Gavin Bright and Justin Medcalf, along with their team, rushed to the Hunter River at Denman on December 2, 2022, responding to reports of children in danger of drowning. Upon arrival, they found two boys secured on a log, but their 14-year-old friend was trapped by timber debris 18 meters from the riverbank, struggling to keep her head above water.
Firefighter Medcalf, equipped with a harness and rope, braved the powerful currents to free the girl’s foot trapped in a root ball. Following him, Firefighter Bright swam out to fit the teenager with a rescue harness. The pair then waited with the children until the NSW SES in-water rescue specialists arrived.
Commendations for Courage
During a ceremony at the City of Sydney Fire Station, FRNSW Commissioner - Paul Baxter commended both Bright and Medcalf for their courageous actions that crucially saved the girl's life. Commissioner Baxter highlighted their selflessness during the challenging rescue.
Acknowledgements for Other Heroic Acts
Their teamwork included initiating CPR and using a defibrillator, which proved vital
In addition to the river rescue, other firefighters were recognized for their valiant efforts in different emergencies. Ten firefighters received honors for their response to a tragic house fire in Glendenning, Sydney, which sadly resulted in the loss of two elderly residents.
Acknowledged for their quick response to a fellow firefighter's collapse, fifteen firefighters from Berry, Nowra, and Shoalhaven stations were celebrated for saving their colleague's life during a fire on Antares Close in February 2022. Their teamwork included initiating CPR and using a defibrillator, which proved vital.
Community Impact
Additionally, firefighters from Katoomba were recognized for their swift action during the devastating Blue Mountains bushfires in December 2019.
Crews from Lismore and Goonellabah were honored for containing a fire at St Carthage’s Cathedral in September 2020, preventing widespread damage. In Parramatta, multiple crews averted a fire from spreading in a unit complex last July.
Public Bravery and Service
A local resident who saved his neighbor and her pet from a house fire, and FRNSW members from Beecroft and Riverwood who provided emergency cardiac aid to civilians, were also among the honorees. These interventions exemplify public service and bravery under pressure.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib praised all award recipients, noting, “The bravery, hard work, and professionalism of our firefighters are extraordinary and deserve recognition.”
Commissioner Baxter added, “Hearing about these incidents offers a true appreciation of the challenging and traumatic situations our personnel face daily.”
Two firefighters who risked their lives when they entered a swollen river to save a teenage girl are among more than 120 people formally recognized by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) this St Florian’s Day.
FRNSW on-call firefighters Gavin Bright and Justin Medcalf and their crew rushed to the Hunter River at Denman, in the state’s Upper Hunter, on 2 December 2022, after receiving reports of three children at risk of drowning.
Extreme currents
When they arrived on-scene, the crew immediately located and secured two boys on a log. Their friend, a 14-year-old girl, had become trapped against timber debris and was struggling to hold her head above water, about 18 meters from the riverbank.
Firefighter Medcalf kitted up in a harness, on rope, and fought against extreme currents as he swam out and released her foot from the root ball of a fallen tree.
NSW SES in-water rescue specialists
Firefighter Bright followed his offsider into the water, fitting the distressed teenager with a rescue harness
Braving the same harsh conditions, Firefighter Bright followed his offsider into the water, fitting the distressed teenager with a rescue harness. The pair stayed with the children until NSW SES in-water rescue specialists could retrieve them.
During a special event at the City of Sydney Fire Station, FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter presented both firefighters with Commendations for Courageous Action, acknowledging their actions saved the teenage girl’s life.
Courageous and selfless actions
Another 10 firefighters have been honored for their response to a fatal house fire in Glendenning, in Sydney’s west, in June last year. The incident, which occurred just three days into winter, tragically claimed the lives of a 74-year-old woman and her wheelchair-bound 77-year-old husband.
Through their courageous and selfless actions, the responding crews gave the victims their best chance of survival and treated them with dignity.
FRNSW crews from the Berry
Fifteen firefighters have been recognized for saving the life of one of their colleagues who collapsed while battling
The firefighters from Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Regentville fire stations have been presented with Unit Commendations for Meritorious Service.
Fifteen firefighters have been recognized for saving the life of one of their colleagues who collapsed, while battling a fire at Nowra, on the state’s South Coast.
FRNSW crews from the Berry, Nowra, and Shoalhaven (South Nowra) fire stations were called to a house on Antares Close, which was engulfed in flames, on 15 February 2022.
Assistance of Senior Firefighter Bugden
As heavy black smoke filled the property, Senior Firefighter Peter Bugden raised the alarm that a fellow firefighter had collapsed inside. Station Officer Sean Doohan rushed to help, kicking in the lower part of the door and crawling in to reach his colleague in trouble.
He grabbed him by his legs and carried him out with the assistance of Senior Firefighter Bugden and Senior Firefighter Ben Ingle.
Focused on extinguishing the fire
Other crews on scene remained focused on extinguishing the fire and minimizing the impact on the community
Between them, the three rescuers applied CPR and a defibrillator to the downed firefighter, with their care and concern continuing during his time recovering in the hospital and at home.
Despite the distressing scenes, the other crews on scene remained focused on extinguishing the fire and minimizing the impact on the community.
St Florian’s Day awards
Others to receive St Florian’s Day awards include:
- FRNSW firefighters from Katoomba who responded to major bushfires impacting the Blue Mountains in December 2019. Their extraordinary actions saved dozens of homes, factory units, sheds, and vehicles.
- FRNSW crews from Lismore and Goonellabah who battled a fire at St Carthage’s Cathedral in September 2020. Their outstanding efforts stopped the blaze from spreading throughout the century-old structure.
- Multiple FRNSW crews who saved a person from a burning Parramatta unit in July last year, before preventing the fire from spreading throughout the complex.
- A member of the public who rescued his elderly neighbor and her pet dog from their burning house on Glading Close, Lake Haven, in August 2022.
- FRNSW brigade members from Beecroft and Riverwood who, on separate occasions, applied CPR and defibrillators to members of the public who suffered cardiac arrest outside their fire stations.
Firefighters receiving awards
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the firefighters receiving awards now have each put others’ lives
St Florian’s Day is named after the Patron Saint of firefighters and is traditionally the day FRNSW formally recognizes staff who’ve played a special role in protecting communities.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the firefighters receiving awards now have each put others’ lives before their own.
Bravery, hard work, and professionalism
“The bravery, hard work and professionalism of our firefighters is extraordinary and whilst they don’t do it for the praise, they certainly deserve it and it’s great to see them receive that recognition on this special day,” Mr Dib said.
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter congratulated all who have been formally recognized. He said, “When you hear about the incidents for which our people are being recognized, you get an appreciation for the difficult and traumatic situations they may have to confront on any given day.”
