Fire Commissioner presents bravery awards
Published: 6th September 2007
NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) Commissioner Greg Mullins was at Tamworth Fire Station today to present bravery awards to a local firefighter, a police officer and an ambulance officer for their actions at a restaurant explosion and fire in November 2005.Retained Firefighter Alexander Singh, who has been a firefighter for 14 years, was presented with the NSWFB Commendation for Courageous Action. Ambulance Officer James Thompson and Senior Constable Michael Moy both received the NSWFB Commissioner's Commendation.
On 14 November 2005 Retained Firefighter Singh, Ambulance Officer Thompson and Senior Constable Moy attended a fire at a restaurant in Peel Street, Tamworth. They entered the building following a serious gas explosion and fire to rescue an elderly woman who was trapped beneath rubble resulting from the explosion and partial building collapse.
Commissioner Mullins praised the actions and bravery of all three men.
"Without concern for their own safety, and under dangerous circumstances, they entered the building together to save the life of another person.
"They are a credit to their families, their community and the emergency services they serve, and I congratulate them on going above and beyond the call of duty."
NSWFB Inspector Adam Dewberry also congratulated Retained Firefighter Singh and paid tribute to retained firefighters in the area.
"The actions of Alex and the NSWFB crews at this fire demonstrate just how important retained firefighters are in communities across regional NSW. Most retained firefighters have full-time jobs but are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to fires and other emergencies. They are an asset to the NSWFB and the community."