2023 Finalists - ACT RESCA

Bernie has been a loyal and committed member of ACT Fire and Rescue (ACTFR) for more than 30 years and is a Station Officer usually attached to HAZMAT at Fyshwick Fire Station.  His service has been invaluable throughout this time. Bernie has also dedicated much of his own time to extend his professional knowledge and through his commitment to the organisation Bernie has been able to improve policy and procedures that have been presented to ACTFR.  As an expert in Hazmat, he ensures that staff have the training required to operate effectively and safely in this ever-changing field, especially with the management of incidents involving lithium batteries. As a testament to this Bernie has delayed his retirement to assist in developing a carcinogen reduction strategy to reduce firefighter risk to the exposure of fire contaminants, as cancer is now considered the most significant hazard to firefighter health and wellbeing. Bernie has a wealth of knowledge and happily shares it with colleagues.

Detective Sergeant Sharan Slater

Sharan has been a valued member of the AFP for 40 years – the last 21 in the Volunteers in Policing Program which she established. The program volunteers provide support to the police and to the community. In addition to her professional excellence Sharan has consistently and positively contributed to a variety of community groups and projects. Examples of her voluntary community work include sourcing supplies for “Dignity Bags” that are distributed to women in need, leading a team that makes “Joey Pouches” for orphaned joeys and collecting toys for Kids in Care. She is also a member of the Wombat Rescue group and the CFU. In all the endeavours Sharan has been well regarded and appreciated by the people she works with and is very mindful of their wellbeing.

Ailish is currently a Strategic Planner with the ACT Rural Fire Service and, is a current and active Fire Behaviour Analyst a role she has held for more than a decade. Ailish sits on the AFAC Predictive Services Group. She was involved in the NSW RFS for over twenty years joining as a volunteer at 16 before transitioning to a staff member in her early 20’s. In addition to this Ailish was an active retained fire fighter with NSW Fire and Rescue for 16 years. She is not only recognised for operations & teaching in fire behaviour and fire predicting but also for her continued dedication to firefighting. She has been accepted for interstate and international deployment which is a testament to her dedication and skill. Ailish has further demonstrated her service beyond self by her ongoing mentoring of female members of the ACTRFS. She has also taken on many roles in her local community that contribute to the continued viability of sports groups.

Craig is the membership officer for the ACT SES and manages the membership of 385 volunteers. His goal is to improve the experience of SES volunteers. Craig delivers support services for volunteer recruitment, recognition and retention programs and is the action officer for reviewing and updating the SES membership policy. Craig assumes the role of SES Duty Officer on a rotational basis where he is responsible for coordinating the ACT SES response to storm and flood incidents across the ACT. Craig served as a frontline medic in Afghanistan and has undertaken psychological studies focusing on the understanding of PTSD and the impacts of military service on young adults. Craig has volunteered for a ”Projects Abroad” cultural immersion which involved living and working in remote areas of Mongolia, participating in projects that make a real difference to the nomad population. Prior to joining the SES as a paid employee, Craig was a team leader at Pialligo SES and is currently an active member of Woden SES.  In 2021 and 2022, Craig undertook interstate deployments to the NSW and Victorian floods

Teagan has made a positive contribution to keeping both frontline workers and the Canberra community safe. In 2021, while working as the Assistant Director Public Information, she identified the need for a behaviour change campaign, targeted at reducing the instances of occupational violence against frontline workers and paramedics. Teagan worked tirelessly with stakeholders to gain support and funding for the initiative.  After more than twelve months of work, The ACT Ambulance Service Occupational Violence Campaign was released in early 2023. Indeed, an achievement that will improve the working conditions of frontline workers including nurses, teachers and service centre staff for now and future years. Teagan’s initiative and drive to protect our front line staff demonstrates her Service above Self and ongoing commitment for the welfare of all.