Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News
A high-ranking and prestigious SA Country Fire Service (CFS) award has been bestowed on Lucindale group officer Patrick Ross by State Chief Officer Mark Jones.
The rare Chief Officer’s Commendation was awarded for Mr Ross’s leadership, decision making and keeping a cool head during critical emergency situations, while under intense pressure.
During a speech to announce the award, Mr Jones said Mr Ross had never sought recognition for himself and he told a story about visiting Lucindale during two major bushfires – Blackford and Coles.
During the Coles fire, Mr Ross had walked outside when Mr Jones arrived with his deputy Brenton Eade – they asked how he was going.
Mr Ross informed them that “we have just lost a volunteer”.
News of the horrific tragedy involving Louise Hincks had just come from the fireground and it was the first Mr Jones and colleague Brenton Eade had heard of it.
Mr Jones said that wherever and whatever the circumstances, Mr Ross’s professionalism and focus to carry on with the task at hand, while others were directly affected, was the mark of “leadership that Patrick demonstrates, which is of the highest order”.
Essentially, Mr Ross had led the CFS incident management team at four catastrophic bushfires during the last few fire seasons.
According to CFS criteria, the award aims to recognise outstanding and exemplary service in operations or actions in operations.
The CFS media team said the award was to recognise “outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties, administrative leadership, or exemplary performance of a specific project or task”.
The unique award may be given to an individual for service “beyond the scope of responsibility normally expected” of that person.
CFS region 5 commander John Probert said Mr Ross “had done an exceptional job”.
“He got a chief officer’s citation which is in recognition of the work that he’s been doing over the last few years with the fires which have impacted into the Lucindale area,” Mr Probert said
“It is in recognition of various fires – Keilira, Bunbury, Blackford, and Coles.”
Mr Probert said it was not only operational ability, but the fact Mr Ross “has been a driving force within the Lucindale group, preparing and assisting communities for fires”.
“As regional commander at the time, I’m really proud of the way that the whole region responded to those fires and the work that they undertook,” Mr Probert said.
“And the fact that Lucindale was directly impacted by (the Blackford) fire with no losses is a testament to the abilities and professionalism of our volunteers, and Patrick was the leader of that.
“Patrick was the leader of a whole team that actually achieved those outcomes.
“Patrick is quite modest. He would want to make sure that there was recognition of the whole team that was around him.”
Mr Probert said he was reluctant to name people in fear of missing someone, however, he had only praise for all those who spearhead the Lucindale CFS group.
“But it shone out that in the worst of circumstances. Patrick’s calm demeanour and decision-making ability really shone through,” he said.
“When we lost Louise Hincks in the Coles fire, Patrick’s leadership (meant) people were able to maintain a focus in getting the fire out, even while dealing with a tragic event within our own service.”
Throughout SA, Mr Jones only gave three of his prestigious awards to volunteers, including Mr Ross, and three to paid staff.
The rare prestigious award to Mr Ross was one of the last official duties of Mr Jones before he returned to the UK the following day. Both Mr Jones and the former deputy Mr Eade have now retired.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
