NSW fires tragedy: Fallen firefighter Geoffrey Keaton funeral

As smoke shrouded fallen volunteer firefighter Geoffrey Keaton’s funeral, his tiny son stood stoic to receive medals for his father’s bravery and service.

The #NSWRFS farewelled one of our own today, Geoffrey Keaton, one of two firefighters who lost their lives fighting fires on 19 December 2019. Commissioner Fitzsimmons honoured Geoffrey today by posthumously awarding him Commissioner’s Commendations for Bravery and Service. Picture: RFS NSW

Smoke haze shrouded the chapel where hundreds of mourners gathered to pay tribute to Horsley Park Rural Fire Services’ fallen firefighter.

The grief was palpable as Geoffrey Keaton, 32, was remembered by his family, friends and colleagues in funeral service at Pinegrove Memorial Park in Minchinbury on Thursday morning.

Mr Keaton’s fiancee Jess Hayes, and their 19-month-old son, Harvey, who was dotingly dressed in an RFS uniform, arrived at the chapel in a long procession of fire trucks to honour Mr Keaton.

In a heart-rending moment, RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons presented Harvey a medal to honour his late father.

“He was up there among the highest accolades we can provide and second to none, and it is my privilege today to present in recognition of Geoff’s extraordinary commitment and dedication and his ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on the 19 December 2019 that I present to the family a Commissioners Commendation for Extraordinary Service and a Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery,” Mr Fitzsimmons said during the service.

“You can’t find anyone that speaks badly of Geoff. A decent bloke, a nice guy, and absolute character, a true mate and someone who had community at heart. He was always there to lend a hand to someone, he would always take that call. If someone was down, he was always there to lift them up especially when it came to his RFS commitments.”

Sitting on top of the coffin was a mug with the words “Daddy, I love you to the moon and back” printed across it.

The simple message on a mug on Geoffrey Keaton’s coffin. Picture: RFS NSW

Attendees who couldn’t fit inside the chapel spilt out onto the street among a crowd of uniformed clad RFS members and a convoy of Fire and Service fire trucks.

Mr Keaton’s brother, Phil, spoke fondly of his brother during the service, sharing the memory he’ll keep of his selfless brother, while wiping away tears he couldn’t hold back.

“You’d always answer my call and be there in a heartbeat when a person asks,” Phil said.

“May you rest in peace, I love you.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison with his wife Jenny attended the service, paying their respects to Mr Keaton and his family.

“It was important to be able to honour his great sacrifice and his tremendous service,” Mr Morrison said following the ceremony.

The service began with the members of the RFS forming a guard of honour for their once fearless comrade. It ended with You Raise Me Up being played in the background as grieving attendees began to leave.

A guard of honour farewells Geoffrey Keaton. Picture: RFS NSW

“It was tremendous to be there with the men and women of the Rural Fire Service brigade as they provided their guard of honour for their mate,” Mr Morrison said.

The Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections, Anthony Roberts, said Mr Keaton had been remembered by the firefighting community with heavy hearts in a “incredibly touching and emotional” service.

“I think he very much epitomised the ANZAC larrikin spirit and that feeling came through to the Commissioner and the senior officers within his district. He was very much loved, at times a larrikin, but totally dedicated to the RFS and in particular his family,” Mr Roberts said.

“What came through is that his family, his little boy, and his fiancee came first, and after that there was just the RFS.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison joins mourners at the funeral. Picture: TNV

Mr Keaton had been issued with Long Service declaration for his devotion to the volunteer brigade in 2014. The firefighter’s unwavering service to the community was through the RFS.

“As the Commissioner said, if he hadn’t been taken from us, he would have serving the RFS for another three decades,” Mr Roberts said.

“It’s important for the family to know that we’re not going away. We will be providing whatever assistance that we can.”

The volunteer firefighter died near Buxton after his RFS truck was tragically struck by a falling tree, crushing the cab of the truck.

Mr Keaton joined the NSW Rural Fire Service in 2006 and was the deputy captain of the Horsley Park Rural Fire Brigade in western Sydney and a former member of the Plumpton Brigade.

Eight people have died this fire season, three of which have been volunteer firefighters.

Andrew O’Dwyer, 36, who was killed in the same fatal accident as Mr Keaton, will be remembered in a service next week.

Samuel McPaul, 28, was killed battling the Green Valley fire in Southeast NSW when the truck he was travelling in was blown over by extreme winds at about 6pm on Monday.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian paid her respects. Picture: TNV