2021 Finalists

Finalists

Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Community Awards

2021 Finalists

to see 2020 finalists click here

Congratulations to the winners in 2021

2021 Winners

Paid capacity - Rohan Scott

Rohan Scott

Before assuming the position of Chief Officer at the ACT Rural Fire Services (ACTRFS), Rohan spent 20+ years as a volunteer Firefighter and held several leadership appointments including Captain. He led a team of 400 people through the 2020 Black Summer Fire Season and played a crucial role in maintaining their health, wellbeing, and moral throughout the strenuous period. For instance, he spearheaded a program called ‘Reset’ that involved a lessons learnt exercise with the entire staff, after hours and over the weekend. This not only increased morale, but in some cases rebuilt shattered confidence of team members. Post fire season, he devoted a significant amount of time in developing training sessions to deal with major fires, which has all culminated to a stronger and more resilient RFS.

Volunteer capacity - Christopher Puschak

Christopher Puschak

Chris has been involved with the emergency services for 24 years and is currently working as Treasurer of the Hall Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade while also being an active volunteer Firefighter. He played a vital role in the 2019 fire season where he defended regions of Nerriga, Adminaby, Tumut, and Orroral Valley. Here, he volunteered to do additional shifts and also stayed back to support the wellbeing of his crew since they had limited operational experience. Besides firefighting, he is a Venture Scout Leader and passionately shares his knowledge about abseiling, 4wding, canoeing and bushwalking.

2021 Finalists

ACT AMBULANCE SERVICE

John Berry

John is a highly regarded Operations Manager at the ACT Ambulance Services (ACTAS) where he provides leadership to the operational workforce that ensures effective delivery of ambulance services to the community. Besides working for ACTAS, he is a passionate mental health advocate and incorporates this in improving staff wellbeing, welfare and fitness. For instance, he helped raise over $17,000 through Movember campaign and also participated in the 2021 Push For Better Foundation’s push up challenge. In his free time, he enjoys coaching cricket and rugby.

ACT FIRE & RESCUE

David Bremers

Dave is a substantive Station Officer at ACT Fire and Rescue (ACTF&R), and in his current role as a Capital Works Project Coordinator ensures the wellbeing of the community and sustainability of the service through ensuring delivery of new emergency services stations. Previously, he was involved as the Project Officer for the Communications Centre Project, the scale and scope of which meant working in multiple work areas with many stakeholders to ensure the best outcome for the community. He has worked tirelessly and with humility to maintain and improve the effectiveness of the Service and Agency..

ACT RURAL FIRE SERVICE

Christopher Puschak

Rohan Scott

Tina Siver

Tina has been an active member of the ACT Rural Fire Services (ACTRFS) since 2004, and has worked her way up to earn her Advanced Firefighter qualifications. Besides firefighting, she has also volunteered in the aviation space as an Air Base Operator and Incident Management Support. She made use of her diverse skillsets during the 2019 fires in NSW and ACT territory. Her peers describe her as a quiet achiever where her contribution to the service has been immense. She was a member of three separate ACT Taskforces as an active fire fighter during the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria. In an occupation that is male dominated, she has been an ambassador in closing the gender gap. She has done this through community engagement, and education, and the increasing participation from women in the service is testament to her dedication to the service.

Brett Vey

A 16-year veteran with the ACT Rural Fire Services (ACTRFS), Brett is currently his unit’s Brigades Equipment Officer. His positivity and willingness to help is greatly appreciated within the unit, and this is exemplified by his firefighting stints throughout the country. Most recently, he worked on 12 different shifts under very trying conditions during the 2019 fires. Besides firefighting, Brett is passionate about personal fitness and volunteers extra time to run boot camps for members of his unit. Even in the age of social distancing, he took these sessions digital through his home equipment, ensuring the team were motivated and ready should a challenge appear. He also participates in fitness fundraising events like the Bloody Long Walk that supports mitochondrial disease research.

ACT STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE

Bill Black

Bill joined the ACT State Emergency Services (ACTSES) in 2019 and is currently his Unit’s Equipment Officer. He is recognized for his selfless and diligent nature which is exemplified by the role he played in the 2019 fire season, hailstorm, and COVID-19 response. Throughout these challenges he ensured supply of necessary equipment to operational teams. Bill achieved this through his knack of bringing the team together using his experience and professionalism..

Philip Nolen

Phil is currently the Unit Commander for the ACT State Emergency Services (ACTSES) Tuggeranong Unit where he is responsible for leadership and operational readiness. He has demonstrated service above self by always making himself available to be deployed across diverse roles including training, community support and ambulance volunteer. He is also a vocal supporter for inclusion, diversity and equity, and as Peer Support Officer, spearheaded programs such as ‘Male Champions of Change’, and Indigenous Youth Engagement Program. Phil and his wife have been part of the service for 20+ years, and have been doing so while taking care of their ageing parents and their grandchildren.