Gympie firefighters honoured for fearless rescue in cyclone

GYMPIE firefighters Grant Feeney and Tony Wildman were awarded for a fearless rescue mission in Widgee Creek during the January 2013 floods.

RECIPIENTS: Senior firefighters Bill Edgar and Tony Wildman, station officer Matt Phillips and firefighter Brad Izod. Picture: Contributed

GYMPIE firefighters Grant Feeney and Tony Wildman were awarded the QFRS Commissioner's Medal of Valour for a fearless rescue mission in Widgee Creek during the January 2013 floods.

Station officer Feeney and senior firefighter Wildman, together with fellow Medal of Valour recipients, Maroochydore senior firefighters Denis Donadel and Matthew Foster, were among hundreds of heroes honoured by Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jack Dempsey for helping Queensland cope with the chaos unleashed by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald.

Mr Dempsey recognised 262 Queensland Fire and Emergency Services staff and volunteers for their courageous work when disaster struck Queensland in January last year.

Presenting the prestigious QFRS Commissioner's Medal of Valour, Mr Dempsey said "these brave men entered the swollen waters of the Widgee Creek on numerous occasions to rescue two civilians and to attempt the rescue of a third".

"Despite the treacherous and life-threatening conditions, they placed their lives in danger, disregarding their own safety to save others," he said.

"It was an extraordinary situation, with QFES personnel finding themselves isolated by floodwaters, which continued to rise as vast bodies of water moved across the landscape. Across Bundaberg, the initial response to the disaster involved more than 1800 people being evacuated, many taken from rooftops and windows in very dangerous conditions."

Member for Maryborough Anne Maddern also praised the efforts of award recipients who were part of an army of staff and volunteers involved in the response to ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald.

"Each recipient of an award or commendation is worthy of the praise they've received," Ms Maddern said.

Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen said volunteers at every location continuously demonstrated their professionalism.

"Their dedication and commitment to supporting communities across the north coast region was a real credit," Mr Sorensen said.

QFES Commissioner Lee Johnson said his team responded to 327 incidents, of which 46 were swift-floodwater rescues, and helped evacuate more than 1800 people.

"Our regional operation centre was open for 27 consecutive days," Commissioner Johnson said.

"QFES helped with the washout of over 1440 properties in Bundaberg, Gayndah, North Burnett, Maryborough and Gympie. We also completed more than 5400 rapid damage assessments in the area."