News Story
Fire Service Honours Ceremonies, a highlight of the fire brigade year, are usually formal, dress-up affairs where Royal and United Fire Brigades' Association awards are given to recognise service. But as our Brigade's ceremony unfolded last night in the Selwyn Library Hall in Parnell, it appeared 2 members would miss out. They had much earlier in the evening responded to assist at a fatal motor vehicle accident at Clarks Beach in South Auckland. But just before presentations had ended, Duane Carnell and Matt Walker arrived at the hall having returned directly from Clarks Beach in their working uniform, overalls. After a brief interval they received their silver bars: Duane for 13 years, Matt for 9 years. Presenting the awards on behalf of the UFBA, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Ric Carlyon, said it had been a close call, that they had only just made it to the ceremony and although it was the first occasion he had presented medals to personnel in their working uniform, it was totally understandable in the circumstances... "it's what we are all about," he told the two, "responding to calls, whenever they are paged, even if it is our Honours Night!" 20 other members received UFBA awards, ranging from the 3 year certificate to a gold bar signifying 43 years' service.
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