Council calls for award to recognise first responders

Wollondilly Council is calling for a special award to acknowledge first responders, recognising their conduct or actions to protect local communities during emergency situations.

Mayor Matthew Deeth raised the issue at the August Council meeting, noting that there is no appropriate acknowledgement for first responders at the Local Government level.

Councillors unanimously agreed to write to the president of Local Government NSW requesting that they advocate to the State Government for the establishment of a Local Government Service Award for individual first responders. This could be in the form of a medal or ribbon to wear on their uniform.

Councillors also agreed to write to local member, the Nathaniel Smith MP, the Minister for Local Government, and the Premier advocating for the establishment of the award.

Mayor Matthew Deeth and other councillors recently met with the Hon. Member for Prospect and member of the Horsley Park RFS Hugh McDermott with Member for Wollondilly, Nathaniel Smith to discuss the need for an award to recognise these local heroes.

Mayor Matthew Deeth said, “Council is advocating for this award to really recognise the sacrifices made by first responders who often put their lives on the line to protect our community.”

“The recent bushfire season has shown us that there are many individuals who would be worthy of this type of recognition. Without them, many more people would have been put in danger and lost their homes,” he said