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The leader of an award-winning rescue team says plucking people from floodwater as they were taking their last breaths was a physical and mental challenge.

Source : PortMac.News | Citizen :

Source : PortMac.News | Citizen | News Story:

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Port Macquarie : Flood rescue teams recognised at awards
The leader of an award-winning rescue team says plucking people from floodwater as they were taking their last breaths was a physical and mental challenge.

News Story Summary:

Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Russell Turner's team of 17 water rescue experts has gained international recognition for saving more than 220 people and 39 animals during floods that devastated the Mid North Coast almost 18 months ago.

The team members have been presented an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards in the United States.

The event recognised people who demonstrated outstanding skills, preparedness and achievement during swift-water and flood rescues.

Team's tough rescues:

Inspector Turner said the nature of his work meant he frequently experienced extreme weather events.

But he said the rescues in Port Macquarie in 2021 were physically and mentally challenging when helping traumatised residents.

"It was tough," he said.

He said some of the people they came across thought it was all over.

"They were at the end of their tether, they were taking one of their last breaths and we got there just in time," he said.

"We jump in the water, we swim, we paddle, we seconded powerboats, we drove through the floodwater, we walked … and managed to save everybody we got to."

While Port Macquarie bore much of the brunt of the flooding, surrounding towns including Taree and Kempsey were also hard hit, meaning crews worked across a 100km radius rescuing people trapped in cars and houses.

"There were people who had woken up to the floodwater level with their beds," Deputy Commissioner Fewtrell said. 

He said it was a terrifying situation for them.

"They also work in the night as well; they work in all conditions and quite often it's still pouring down raining," he said. 

NSW Emergency Services Minister Stephanie Cooke said it was the first time an Australian individual or team had been presented an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards.

Local brigades rewarded:

Port Macquarie hosted firefighters and crew for a flood awards ceremony at the same time the international awards were being handed out in the US.

Port Macquarie leading firefighter Brett Slaven was among the local recipients. 

"Floods are the hardest thing to attend to as a firefighter, it's the sheer devastation and the looks on people's faces after they've lost all their property," Mr Slaven said.

 "I feel a bit humbled by it all … it's the community that need to be acknowledged."

Crews from Laurieton and Wauchope were recognised, as well as a team from Wingham who continued their response despite being cut off by floodwaters for days.

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said there were some "absolutely outstanding" actions by staff during the floods.

High honour for service:

Deputy Commissioner Fewtrell said it was an honour for Strike Team Zulu to be recognised on a world stage.

He said the service had been developing its water rescue capability for more than 20 years.

"I think recognition for this award provides that special acknowledgement of how far we've come," he said.

"The work of the strike team occurred over a 4-day period, but there was a particular 30-hour period where they worked continuously dealing with over 200 rescues," Deputy Commissioner Fewtrell said.

Story By | Madeleine Cross


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