Qld firefighter Izabella Nash remembered on International Firefighters Day
Firefighters across the nation have stopped to observe one minute’s silence in remembrance of fallen service members including Queensland’s Izabella Nash.
QLD News
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Firefighters across Australia observed a minute’s silence Thursday in remembrance of fallen service members, including Queensland’s Izabella Nash, as part of International Firefighters Day.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing joined firefighters at Kemp Place Fire Station in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley to pay respect to firefighters who had lost their lives in the line of duty.
Mr Wassing said the timing of International Firefighters Day this year was a “solemn reminder” following Ms Nash’s tragic passing earlier this week.
“It’s an opportunity for all Queenslanders to remember the dedication and bravery that our firefighters put themselves at risk everyday for the protection, property and life of the environment,” he said.
“That’s why we come together, but it’s especially a solemn this time, this day, given the events of this week.”
Izabella Nash, 46, died on Tuesday after being pulled from a factory fire in Slacks Creek in the early hours of the morning.
Her colleague, Lia Drew, remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
An investigation into the circumstances of Ms Nash’s death is underway, with her breathing apparatus also to be assessed.
Ms Wassing said while investigations continued, QFES was now focused on providing support the families of both Ms Nash and Ms Drew and their colleagues, who were “hurting”.
He said he had visited Ms Drew in hospital on Wednesday and that she was “going okay, all things considered”.
“She’s obviously also very upset with the events. She has burns to both her arms and shoulder, but she has come out of the critical care unit,” he said.
“Our focus is on her physical recovery and then subsequently her mental recovery … it’s tough for her. It’s tough for all of our firefighters.
“We’re supporting her and checking in with her on a daily basis.”
QFES Assistant Commissioner John Cawcutt said Ms Nash’s funeral plans were still being discussed and it was not yet known whether the service would be public.
“Bec has expressed that both her and Izzy are intrinsically linked to the fire service so their intention is that they do want a level of involvement with the fire service,” he said.
“To what extent is still going to be decided but there is a very strong wish that the services are personal.”
Mr Cawcutt said QFES had received many inquiries from other fire departments and emergency services across the country about Ms Nash’s funeral, but the funeral details would be solely dependent on the needs of Ms Nash’s family.
“This has touched an awful lot of people, not just our own local region but right across the states and in fact across the nation,” he said.
“As the funeral goes so we’ll work with the family. They’ve got some certain wishes that want put in place and we’ll be there to support them.
“This is this is about their (family) needs. They’re very emotional funeral for them.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Steven Miles briefly attended the service to pay their respects and offer their condolences to the Brisbane QFES crew.
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