Our fire-fighters on the front line at the tanker fire. Commendation for Bravery: Ingleside's Deputy Captain Gary Sambridge and Crew Leader Joshua Denney. Also in the picture is Joshua Alexander who was awarded a Unit Citation for Service.
Full Citations of Commendations below (retrieved from New South Wales Rural Fire Service Website):
Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery
Awarded to recognise an act of courage under hazardous circumstances where the risk to life has not been as significant as to warrant the Commissioner's Award for Valour but is worthy of recognition.
Firefighter Joshua Denney
Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade, Warringah Pittwater, Region East
On 1 October 2013 Firefighter Joshua Denney was a crew member on Ingleside 1A, which responded and arrived first on scene to a fuel tanker crash and resulting fire on Mona Vale Road, Warriewood.
Upon arrival, Firefighter Denney was faced with many significant risks including downed powerlines, several vehicles on fire, bush alight as well as a f lowing fuel fire coming from the overturned fuel tanker.
The flowing fuel fire had already resulted in the death of one person, severely burned a second person, burned a number of other casualties and posed a clear, direct and imminent threat to more than 100 members of the public downhill.
Working directly with Firefighter Gary Sambridge, Firefighter Denney commenced Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA) operations and worked from below the tanker, directly attacking the fire with foam to protect the injured, the members of public and other emergency service personnel who were under direct threat from the f lowing fuel fire.
To undertake this critical task, Firefighter Denney had to position himself downhill of the burning fuel tanker, directly between the overturned tanker and the people the CABA team was trying to protect. Firefighter Denney undertook this tasking at great personal risk.
Firefighter Denney remained in this position of direct and significant danger for more than 30 minutes while the fire was being contained and was eventually extinguished.
Firefighter Denney worked bravely to minimise the loss of life of members of the public as well as that of fellow emergency service personnel.
Firefighter Joshua Denney is a worthy recipient of the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery.
Firefighter Gary Sambridge
Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade, Warringah Pittwater, Region East
On 1 October 2013 Firefighter Gary Sambridge was a crew member on Ingleside 1A, which responded, and arrived first on scene to a fuel tanker crash and resulting fire on Mona Vale Road, Warriewood.
Upon arrival, Firefighter Sambridge was faced with many significant risks including downed powerlines, several vehicles on fire, bush alight as well as a f lowing fuel fire coming from the overturned fuel tanker.
The f lowing fuel fire had already resulted in the death of one person, severely burned a second person, burned a number of other casualties and posed a clear, direct and imminent threat to more than 100 members of the public located downhill.
Working directly with Firefighter Joshua Denney, Firefighter Sambridge commenced Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA) operations and worked from below the tanker, directly attacking the fire with foam to protect the injured, the members of the public and other emergency service personnel who were under direct threat from the f lowing fuel fire.
To undertake this critical task, Firefighter Sambridge had to position himself downhill of the burning fuel tanker, directly between the overturned tanker and the people the CABA team was trying to protect. Firefighter Sambridge undertook this tasking at great personal risk.
Firefighter Sambridge remained in this position of direct and significant danger for over 30 minutes while the fire was being contained and eventually was extinguished.
Firefighter Sambridge worked bravely to minimise the loss of life of members of the public as well as that of fellow emergency service personnel.
Firefighter Gary Sambridge is a worthy recipient of the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery.
Commendation for Bravery: Inglesides, Deputy Captain Gary Sambridge and Crew Leader Joshua Denney with RFS Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons
Commissioner's Commendation for Service (Individual)
Awarded for service of a meritorious nature, or for outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties, administrative leadership, or for exemplary performance of a specific difficult project or task, not involving bravery.
Deputy Group Captain Sean McLoughlin
Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade, Warringah Pittwater, Region East
On 1 October 2013 Deputy Group Captain Sean McLoughlin responded to a fuel tanker crash and resulting fire on Mona Vale Road, Warriewood.
Upon arrival, Deputy Group Captain McLoughlin was faced with a f lowing fuel fire that had resulted in the death of one person, severely burned a second person, caused various burns to a number of other casualties and posed a clear threat to more than 100 members of the public who had gathered downhill, below the immediate incident site.
Deputy Group Captain McLoughlin undertook the NSW Rural Fire Service Commander role and worked to establish and implement command and control within the immediate danger area.
Throughout the initial stages of the incident, Deputy Group Captain McLoughlin was placed in a position of clear and imminent danger, at great personal risk to undertake reconnaissance, support the operations of firefighters and ensure a coordinated and appropriate response.
Deputy Group Captain McLoughlin worked diligently to reduce the risk of further injury or loss of life to those involved in the crash, members of the public and fellow emergency services personnel who were operating downhill from the fire.
Deputy Group Captain Sean McLoughlin is a worthy recipient of the Commissioner's Commendation for Service.
Commissioner's Commendation for Service (Unit)
Awarded for service of a meritorious nature, or for outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties, administrative leadership, or for exemplary performance of a specific difficult project or task, not involving bravery.
Peter Devaney, Thomas Gates, Michael Hrnjak, Matthew Lancaster, Joshua Sheedy, Douglas Simpson, Joshua Beran, Georgia Christensen, Fadl (Fred) Hijazi, Christopher Hurley, Brendan Kusmenko, David Vane, Joshua Alexander, Andrew Johnston, Scott Molenaar, Gordon Smith, Matthew Kerrigan, Andrew Miller, Lars Steele-Mills, John Watson, Terry Brett, David Golack, Jessica Phillips, Luke Robinson and Kevin Shadforth
Belrose 1A, Belrose 1B, Ingleside 1A, Tumbledown Dick 1 and Warringah Pittwater Headquarters 1, Warringah Pittwater, Region East
On 1 October 2013 the crews of Warringah Pittwater Headquarters 1, Belrose 1A, Belrose 1B, Ingleside 1A, and Tumbledown Dick 1 responded to a fuel tanker crash and resulting fire on Mona Vale Road, Warriewood.
The crews immediately got to work, facing many significant risks including downed powerlines, vehicles on fire, bush alight and a flowing fuel fire. They supported Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA) operations and provided an ongoing supply of water and foam.
The units were deployed to various tasks including evacuating and protecting properties adjacent to the fire, providing critical first aid, supplying water, foam and breathing apparatus operators to the firefighting operation.
The noted crews performed meritoriously, working in difficult circumstances to defend life and property and to extinguish multiple fires as a result of the incident.
Belrose 1A, Belrose 1B, Ingleside 1A, Tumbledown Dick 1 and Warringah Pittwater Headquarters 1 are worthy recipients of the Commissioner's Commendation for Service (Unit).
Headquarters crew, provided life saving first aid to one of the injured persons. They were awarded a Unit Citation for Service.
Commissioner's Certificate of Commendation (Unit)
Awarded to recognise service or outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties, administrative leadership, or exemplary performance of a specific project or task. The Certificate of Commendation may be awarded to an individual or unit for service beyond the scope of responsibility normally expected of that person or unit in their assigned duties and is therefore worthy of acknowledgement and commendation.
Mona Vale Tanker Rollover Incident – Warringah Pittwater Supporting Units
Beacon Hill 1, Davidson 1, Duffys Forest 1, Ingleside 1B, Terrey Hills Pumper, Warringah Pittwater Communications Unit, Warringah Pittwater Group 5 and Warringah Pittwater Staff, Region East
On 1 October 2013 the following crews responded to a fuel tanker crash and resulting fire on Mona Vale Road: Beacon Hill 1, Davidson 1, Duffys Forest 1, Terrey Hills Pumper, Ingleside 1B, Warringah Pittwater Group 5, Warringah Pittwater Communications Unit and Warringah Pittwater staff.
The units were deployed to various tasks including evacuating and protecting properties adjacent to the fire, providing critical first aid, supplying water, foam and breathing apparatus operators to the firefighting operation, and assisting the first-in NSW Rural Fire Service crews. They also established liaison links to ensure a coordinated effort.
The noted crews performed meritoriously under challenging circumstances.
Mona Vale Tanker Rollover Incident – Warringah Pittwater Supporting Units are worthy recipients of the Commissioner's Certificate of Commendation (Unit).
