An off-duty firefighter who saved a semi-conscious girl from a house fire in the Blue Mountains is among almost 100 people formally recognized by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) as part of a special St Florian’s Day event at City of Sydney Fire Station.
St Florian’s Day, also known as International Firefighter’s Day, is commemorated annually on 4 May and FRNSW is marking this by acknowledging firefighters who have gone ‘above and beyond’ normal duties.
FRNSW's smoke and flames
FRNSW On-Call Firefighter, 46-year-old Adoni Maalouf, along with his 47-year-old wife, Tania
FRNSW On-Call Firefighter, 46-year-old Adoni Maalouf, along with his 47-year-old wife, Tania, also an On-Call Firefighter, were woken in their Wentworth Falls home just after 6.00 am on Saturday 8 July 2023 by a young boy’s screams of “fire”. His sister was trapped inside an adjacent property in Yester Road, which was engulfed in flames.
As Tania rang Triple Zero (000), Adoni, without any protective gear, kicked the front door open but was forced back by smoke and flames. He then joined the children's mother, who had smashed a window at the side of the house, and reached into the room and dragged the semi-conscious teenage girl to safety.
Other firefighters
Adoni then attacked the fire with a garden hose until other firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze. He has been presented with an individual Commendation for Courageous Action.
Senior Fire Fighter, Onur Ayylidiz, was also recognized for his efforts in Türkiye following a devastating earthquake in February last year.
Disaster assistance and rescue capability
Onur was part of the AUS02 team deployed to provide disaster assistance and search and rescue capability
Onur, who is a Hazmat Technician and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS or drone) pilot, was part of the AUS02 team deployed to provide disaster assistance and search and rescue capability.
Of Turkish heritage and fluent in the language, Onur undertook the role of not only interpreter/ambassador but was the key Turkish liaison officer of the team and was constantly being utilized for communication between officials, other teams, the military and members of the Turkish community.
The highest tradition of FRNSW
This altered role was above and beyond his initial tasking and one which he bore with unwavering professionalism. Onur's actions were in the highest tradition of FRNSW and he has been presented with an individual Commendation for Courageous Action.
Another award recipient is Senior Firefighter Daniel Cunningham of Yennora Fire Station who, whilst on holiday, came across a serious motor vehicle accident on the NSW Mid North Coast in May last year.
Daniel’s actions
Daniel was the first on the scene at the incident in Lake Innes and seeing that there was an elderly victim
Daniel was the first on scene at the incident in Lake Innes and seeing that there was an elderly victim, potentially suffering a heart attack, he commenced CPR and first aid until other emergency services arrived.
Sadly, the person did not survive, however Daniel’s actions displayed the great work firefighters do to assist people in need. Daniel has been presented with an Individual Commendation for Meritorious Service for his efforts.
St Florian’s Day awards
Others to receive St Florian’s Day awards include:
- A crew from Albury who rescued a 16-year-old girl from a ferocious house fire in November 2019
- A crew from Batlow for their actions at a fatal house fire in May 2020.
- A crew from Maclean for its assistance to an 18-week pregnant woman who had gone into labor in March 2023.
- Crews from Ropes Crossing, St Marys and Blacktown for their response to an industrial incident in Minchinbury in western Sydney in June 2023.
- A crew from Orange for their actions at a fatal house fire in June 2023.
FRNSW on-call firefighters
A local business in the NSW Riverina region, which has supported FRNSW on-call firefighters for more than 30 years, has received a Commissioner’s Primary Employer Recognition Award.
The award acknowledges businesses who support on-call firefighters in protecting their local communities. Employers provide flexibility to enable on-call firefighters to respond to incidents, join strike teams and make workplace accommodations.
FRNSW's dedication and commitment
The Purtill Group in Deniliquin, a family-owned and operated business that started in 1951
The Purtill Group in Deniliquin, a family-owned and operated business which started in 1951, has encouraged its employees to join the brigade and enabled them to attend incidents, deployments and training as needed. The company has also continued to financially support employees while on duty for FRNSW as well as ensured their families were taken care of in their absence.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, praised all the firefighters who have received awards for their dedication and commitment to the communities of NSW.
Fire and rescue service
“Many of the firefighters recognized that today risked their own lives to help others during emergencies. Their bravery, hard work and professionalism is to be applauded,” Mr Dib said.
FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, congratulated all who have been formally recognized for their actions. “The firefighters are a credit to themselves, the community and the fire and rescue service. I am proud of their exemplary and selfless actions in keeping NSW safe,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
