Drouin Fire Brigade celebrates service
The Drouin Fire Brigade recently celebrated the dedicated service of its members at the annual dinner that bestowed CFA's highest honour on former captain of 38 years John Atkins.
The annual dinner event was used as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of individual brigade members. Not only was former captain John Atkins, along with secretary and treasurer John Collins and fire fighter Raymond Crawley, awarded with service medals for 55 years of dedicated service but to John's surprise, the Outstanding Service Award was presented to John Atkins by CFA board member Dawn Hartog and local District 9 CFA assistant chief fire officer Trevor Roberts. This is the highest honour that the CFA can present to its members.The brigade nominated John, affectionately known as 'Acko' for the Outstanding Service Awards. John was captain for 38 years during his 55 year membership to the brigade.
The award nomination said John was a "well-respected, long serving and very dedicated volunteer member of the Drouin Fire Brigade."
"He has served the CFA and his community with pride and distinction for more than 50 years," the nomination said.
John held a leadership position as an officer of the brigade since 1978. On July 1, 1984 he was elected as the brigade's captain, a position he held until July 1, 2022 this year.
Trevor said the Outstanding Service Medal recognised prolonged service by exceptional performance. "It is CFA's most prestigious internal award outside valour and bravery listing to CFA members," he said.
Trevor said John was awarded the prestigious medal for outstanding or meritorious service, outstanding achievement and outstanding contribution in the attainment of the objectives of CFA; and for a high level of committed service involving a broad range of activities for a significant period of time as well as for outstanding leadership.
Trevor spoke glowingly of John's working relationship within the CFA Baw Baw Group and District 9 and the positive working relationship with both CFA volunteers and CFA paid staff.
With John's resignation from his roles, the brigade is in a period of transition. Priorities for the brigade this year is stabilising those foundations and setting up success in the future. As part of that the new leadership team, led by captain Mark Fox, is actively embracing personal development opportunities, re-establishing the buddy system for new recruits, reinvigorating training activities, honouring its members and continuing its strong community engagement activities with the relaxation of COVID restrictions.
The all-volunteer brigade, as part of the Country Fire Authority, has been a major part of the Drouin community since it was formed on July 1, 1937.
The brigade has 56 members, with membership including running team members and juniors, driven by their shared commitment of service to others. The Drouin Fire Brigade belongs to a volunteer and community based fire and emergency services organisation of dedicated volunteers and paid staff with a vision to work together to keep communities safe from fire and other emergencies.
The Drouin Fire Brigade, over its 85 year history, has attended many thousands of call outs. The brigade is one of the busiest brigades in District 9 – attending 300 plus call outs a year to a large variety of emergency situations.
The brigade is highly trained and competent and have never lost sight of the growing community they serve. The brigade currently has two trucks – a pumper and tanker and have been operating out of their current station since 2005.
The station is in the former Masonic Lodge – a significant innovation after years of tireless campaigning by outgoing Captain John Atkins (AFSM). The brigade has strong links with VFBV, Baw Baw Group and surrounding brigades including Warragul, Longwarry, Hallora and District and Drouin West.
Until recently, The Drouin brigade was the Baw Baw Group Headquarters and currently is a local command facility.
Members have assisted in major disaster throughout Victoria, including Ash Wednesday, Black Saturday, the 2019 Bunyip State Park Fires. The Brigade has been involved in many community events, scouts, guides, school and kindergarten visits.
Brigade captain Mark Fox spoke about the return of the Drouin Fire Brigade annual dinner after the disruption of COVID.
He said it was a chance for brigade members and their families to come together, recognise the service of members to CFA and the broader community. and a chance to thank families who make sacrifices so members can continue to turn out to emergencies.
Captain Fox also reflected on the brigade's two special members - John Atkins and past secretary John Collins, or affectionately called the two Johns. John Collins was secretary for 39 years. A monumental achievement and one that is not likely to occur again.
Captain Fox said the brigade faced many challenges with a growing town and population, which will mean an increase in the number of emergencies the brigade will have to attend.
This places stress on members to get their work, volunteering and family time sorted, often ending in missed family time.
The brigade has enacted a plan of action that heavily focuses on recruitment and individualised training of its members, to make the brigade a professional and highly skilled team.
Twenty-four brigade members were awarded service certificates or medals for a combined total of 650 years service.
Five years service - Nate Lucas and Alex Gobbett.
10 years service - Marcus Achilles, Jesse Craig, David Janssen, Aaron Oudeman and Wade Versteden.
15 years service - Judy Brown, Kylie Crawford and Michael Crawford.
20 years service - Dean Davis, Alister Noonan and Andrew Runciman.
25 years service - Brendan Ahin, David Harlow and Natalie Young.
30 years service - Mark Dryden.
35 years service - Darren Fox.
45 years service - Rodney Atkinson, Kenneth Craig, Donald Hogan and Michael Lee.
55 years service and life member - John Atkins, John Collins and Raymond Crawley.