Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers gathered over the weekend to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Copacabana Rural Fire Brigade and honour 12 members for their outstanding efforts in the 2019-20 Black Summer fire season.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch was joined by RFS Superintendent Kam Baker, volunteers, and local residents Saturday to celebrate the Brigade’s special milestone.
“It’s wonderful to be in attendance and help celebrate such a special event. Copacabana has changed so much over the past 60 years and so too has this Brigade,” Mr Crouch said.
“It’s also an honour to be presenting 12 of our volunteer firefighters with National Emergency Medals. Every single one of these members should be proud of themselves and their dedication to protecting people and property in what was NSW’s most difficult fire season.
“Right throughout Black Summer the Copacabana Brigade went above and beyond fighting blazes on the Central Coast as well as in strike team deployments to support other communities battling blazes.”
The National Emergency Medal is awarded to persons who rendered sustained or significant service during nationally significant emergencies in Australia, including the 2019-2020 bush fires.
Superintendent Baker said when Copacabana Rural Fire Brigade has developed significantly since its inception in October 1962, when its firefighting equipment consisted of little more than metal knapsacks, beaters, and a couple of fire extinguishers.
“In its first year the Brigade fought two serious fires and saved seven houses, all with no station, no pump, no fire truck, and no modern communications,” Superintendent Baker said.
“Our volunteers should be immensely proud of their efforts and dedication to the protection of the local community and indeed the entire State.”