FIREFIGHTERS who hauled six tankers full of hydrogen from a hazmat exclusion zone are among more than 100 people formally recognised by Fire and Rescue NSW as part of a special event at City of Sydney Fire Station on Sunday.

St Florian’s Day, also known as International Firefighter’s Day, is commemorated annually on May 4 and the organisation has marked the occasion by formally acknowledging firefighters who have gone above and beyond normal duties.

In February 2023, FRNSW responded to a major structural collapse at a hazardous materials site in Banksmeadow, in Sydney’s east.

A 70-metre-tall cooling tower was at risk of collapsing onto tankers, each carrying 1700 cubic metres of hydrogen.

Without relocating the tankers, there stood a substantial risk of explosion and widespread damage to the surrounding area.

An evacuation and exclusion zone of 1.5km would need to be established, which would have impacted approximately 15,000 people for up to one week.

As members of the Incident Management Team on scene, Chief Superintendent Trent Brown and Acting Assistant Commissioner, Steven Hayes, volunteered to move the tankers, working together to connect each trailer to a truck and drive it out of the danger zone, a process which took more than three hours to complete.

They prevented a major disaster in the vicinity of Australia’s busiest airport, and safeguarded countless lives.

Officers Brown and Hayes have been presented with an individual Commendation for Meritorious Service.

Also being recognised are Leading Firefighter, Daniel Austin, and Senior Firefighter, Britt McLean, for their heroic efforts at a fatal housefire in Hinchinbrook in Sydney in July, 2022.

Both firefighters were involved in the rescue of three people from the second storey of the burning home.

Those rescued did not survive, however the actions of both firefighters displayed the great lengths firefighters go to assist people in need.

Daniel and Britt have both been presented with an individual Commendation for Courageous Action.

Others to receive St Florian’s Day awards include: 

A crew from Campsie which located and treated a man with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and chest in September 2023.

The brave and quick actions of the crew saved the man’s life.

Multiple crews for their response at a service station fire at Campbelltown in February 2023.

Crews and civilians for their actions when a heavy goods train collided with a road train near Broken Hill in December, 2023.

Crews which rescued a man, trapped in a garbage compactor in October 2022. Their actions saved the man’s life and also prevented his trapped limb from being amputated.

Forbes Shire Council, which has been recognised for its support of FRNSW On-call firefighters for more than 50 years, receiving a Commissioner’s Primary Employer Recognition Award.

The Employer award acknowledges businesses who support on-call firefighters in protecting their local communities. Employers provide flexibility to enable on-call firefighters to respond to incidents, join strike teams and provide workplace support.

Forbes Shire Council was deemed to be the winner of the Primary Employer category, for supporting nine employees in their role as on-call firefighters, alongside many other individuals over the years.

Rowan Towse Project Construction was selected as the winner of the Sole Trader category.

Rowan is the Deputy Captain at Tumbarumba Station and was nominated for his open attitude to building up the knowledge, skills and confidence of his crew.

Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib recognised and congratulated all firefighters across New South Wales.

“Today, on St Florians Day, I want to and extend my thanks for their service and dedication in keeping communities safe,” Mr Dib said.

“Every day our firefighters demonstrate extraordinary bravery, putting others first as they carry out their firefighting duties. I’m so proud of these exceptional individuals and their commitment to protecting NSW.”

FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell said St Florians Day is an opportunity to formally recognise those firefighters who have demonstrated bravery and selflessness above their regular duties.

“Many of these firefighters risked their own lives to help others during emergencies, not for the credit or recognition, but to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community they serve,” Mr Fewtrell said.