Press Releases - Royal Humane Society of Australasia

The awards, twelve Silver Medals, eighteen Bronze Medals and one Certificates of Merit will be presented by the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley, AC.

BRENDAN JOHN HALEY, sergeant, aged 38 years, of Logan Central, Qld, in going to the rescue of a man, armed with a knife, who set fire to his house at Kingston, Qld on 1 September 2008.

At 6.30pm a man armed with a knife set fire to his house using petrol and threatened to stab anyone who entered the house.

Sgt Anderson armed with a taser, positioned herself at the front steps as the man started setting fire to furniture and refused to leave the house while holding a knife to his throat. Flames and black smoke started to pour out of the windows as Sgt Anderson entered the burning house, found the man sitting on a couch, discharged the taser and tried to drag the now incapacitated man out of the house but was obstructed by furniture and was forced by the thick smoke to run out to the verandah. Sgt Haley then entered the house and was also unable to drag the man clear until Sgt Anderson re-entered, and they dragged him out to safety.

The following cases resulted from rescues effected as a result of the torrential floods in SE Queensland, particulary in the Lockyer Valley during 10-11 January 2011. Most nominees are members of Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS).

ANDREW SHORTLAND, secondary school teacher, aged 50 years, of Eastern Heights, Qld,

JONATHAN KLAEBE, training manager, State Security Service, aged 51 years, of Flinders View, Qld,

FRANK MARTIN, CEO, Australian Unmanned Systems Academy, aged 55 years, of Booval, Qld,

JAMES RUNHAM, retired teacher, aged 54 years, of Flinders View, in going to the rescue of numerous people from the floodwaters of the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers during 12-15 January 2011.

Members of the Training Ship Ipswich Naval Cadet Unit operating three powered boats (“The Witch”, “Sir Paul” and “Lady Janet”), aluminium runabouts, who completed 55 rescues, evacuations and medical transfers (including 4 births.

The three Ipswich crews set about rescuing families from flooded houses and higher peaks of drier land, coping with floodwaters rushing at 21kn (37kph), full of floating and submerged obstacles, natural and man-made.

MARK STEPHENSON, Station Officer, QFRS, aged 42 years, of Raceview, Qld, in going to the rescue of numerous people in the Lockyer Valley on 10 January 2011.

On Monday 10 January 2011 Mr Stephenson was deployed in the vicinity of Murphy’s Creek in the Lockyer Valley in company with several other members of the QFRS in order to provide a Swift Water Rescue capability

Mr Stephenson, in company with two other members, was nearly engulfed in a vehicle on a bridge when the wall of water tore around them. He once again was directly threatened by the flood waters when conducting a reconnaissance for 5 missing people and being washed some 500m downstream before he could self rescue.

It is through his leadership on the ground that preserved skilled performance by his shielding of the swift water teams from information overload, his prioritisation and subsequent tasking of actions negated the potential for the crews to forego safety in order to try to get to everyone. Mr Stephenson led their intent to rescue and transformed it into coordinated action under immense pressure and in direct risk. At 0400 hours on Tuesday 11 January he returned to Ispwich station after approx 17 hours coordinating Swift Water Rescue duties between Murphy’s Creek, Grantham and Gatton.

PHILIP KARL PAFF, Station Officer, QFRS, aged 39 years, of Raymonds Hill, Qld, and;

NATHAN COLE CHADWICK, Senior Firefighter QFRS, aged 37 years, of Anstead, Qld, in going to the rescue of numerous people in the Lockyer Valley, Vic on 10 January 2011.

On Monday 10 January 2011 at approx 1400hrs Messrsr Paff and Chadwick were deployed in the vicinity of Murphy’s Creek in the Lockyer Valley in company with several other members of the QFRS in order to provide a Swift Water Rescue capability. While there the wall of water tore through the valley around them. Mr Paff’s first rescue involved saving a family in a house at Murphy’s Creek surrounded by the torrent of water by pulling himself along a barbed wire fence and then letting go with the current to reach this house with a rope. While rescuing this family Mr Paff saved one of his own personnel whose foot had gone into a submerged drain threatening to pull him underwater.

A short time later Mr Paff was directly responsible for locating another person who had been washed out of her vehicle along with her husband and daughter and she was clinging desperately to a tree and verging on hypothermia. This woman’s husband and daughter were lost to the flood water and later found deceased. Mr Paff rescued the woman from the waters with Mr Chadwick and carried her over debris to safety. Both men then assisted numerous people in the area before deploying downstream to Grantham.

After 1900hrs Mr Paff, in company with other QFRS personnel, moved on foot into Grantham to assist the many people in need in the township. Movement throughout this flooded town at night was extremely perilous due to the varying heights of water, its flow and the debris. The only means of illumination was headlamps. For the remainder of the evening Mr Paff searched many vehicles and buildings locating several deceased people and also assisting numerous residents to safety.

At 0400 hours on Tuesday 11 January he returned to Ipswich Station after approx 17 hours in his wetsuit performing Swift Water Rescue duties between Murphy’s Creek and Grantham.

GEOFFREY MERVYN JAMES DIXON, Senior Firefighter QFRS, aged 54 years, of Gatton, Qld, in going to the rescue of numerous people from the Lockyer Valley on 10 January 2011.

At about 1400hrs on Monday 10 January 2011 Messrs Weir and Dixon were near the intersection of Postman’s Creek Road and Murphy’s Creek Road. A wall of water tore through the valley and crashed into the bridge and vehicle that Mr Weir was driving. Mr Weir maintained his presence of mind and was able to reverse the vehicle from the bridge saving himself and the other two occupants. He immediately began to assist with searching for persons in need of assistance and responding to calls.

Messrs Weir and Dixon were tasked to an address in Spring Bluff where some children had escaped the waters by climbing through the ceiling access hole in their house. However their parents had not been able to escape as the rear of the house had been torn away taking the parents with it. It was approx 1700hrs and Messrs Weir and Dixon searched for the parents approx 1.5km downstream from the house. Whilst searching along the swollen water course for the missing people they had to traverse a large fallen tree. When crossing Mr Weir fell into the upstream side and was clinging desperately to the tree to avoid being sucked under it with the current. After some considerable effort Mr Dixon was able to pull Mr Weir back onto the trunk of the tree.

Mr Weir was exhausted and Mr Dixon allowed him to move past him to get off the tree toward the bank. As they moved off the tree it was struck by an object and Mr Dixon fell into the downstream side of the tree barely managing to grab hold of a branch, being pounded by the water and in danger of being torn from the tree. Mr Weir could not reach him directly and the force of the water made it impossible for Mr Dixon to pull himself back onto the tree. After significant effort from both men, using a throw rope carried by Mr Dixon he was hauled back onto the tree trunk. They then continued searching for the two missing people.

Messrs Dixon and Weir located both parents deceased approx 4kms downstream and retrieved the body of the mother that was in a dangerous position.

MARK ANDREW MEIER, Senior Firefigher QFRS, aged 38 years, of Willowbank, Qld, in going to the rescue of numerous people from the floodwaters at Grantham, Qld on 10 January 2011.

At 1400 hrs Mr Meier was deployed to Grantham where he ran to 3 nearby houses to warn residents and evacuate them. He located and evacuated 1 man and they escaped by jumping on the truck and driving out of the rising water to higher ground.

Mr Meier then regrouped with other QFRS personnel and was deployed to the bridge spanning Lockyer Creek at Gatton. He saw approx 8 carloads of people who had parked on the Gatton side of the bridge watching the spectacle of water moving over it. Using a loudspeaker he directed the people to safety as the water was beginning to engulf them. In order to remain and ensure the safety of community members he was forced to escape by driving through a metre of rising and fast moving water.

He was later deployed to Grantham to assist the Swift Water Rescue crews and located several deceased and assisted many more members of the community to safety. Mr Meier often worked in neck deep water amid tonnes of debris and sometimes knee deep mud to render assistance to the Grantham community.

ANDREW KENNETH NEIL, Firefighter QFRS, aged 44 years, of Kawana Island, Qld, in going to the rescue of numerous people from the floodwaters in the Lockyer Valley on 10 January 2011.

The Lockyer Valley was inundated by a large body of fast flowing water carrying dangerous debris. At 1530hrs Messrs Mills and Neil responded to helping a male, female and child sitting on the roof of a vehicle surrounded by flowing water and large amounts of debris. Both officers boarded a Channel 7 helicopter for better access but were then unable to locate the vehicle. Subsequent searching located the female person clinging to a tree surrounded by fast flowing water. Messrs Mills and Neil subsequently entered the water exposing themselves to risk as the water flow was torrential and they had to contend with debris. Messrs Mills and Neil located and accessed the female and brought her to safety and she was airlifted to a safe area. The child was found some time later and the male person has still not been located and is presumed deceased.

BENJAMIN JAMES SUTHERLAND, Telecommunications Supervisor, aged 34 years, of Oxenford, Qld, in going to the rescue of numerous people from the floodwaters in the Lockyer Valley on 10-11 January 2011.

Mr Simon McDermott crewed helicopter “Firebird 460” and worked in concert with Helitack 220 in support of the QFRS response during the flood events that ravaged the Lockyer Valley in Queensland during 10-11 January 2011. Mr Simon McDermott was in company with his father Mr John McDermott who piloted the aircraft and with Mr Sutherland from QFRS who was coordinating the air efforts over this period. The airmanship of the McDermotts was extraordinary in conditions where other helicopter service providers chose not to fly. They flew in conditions considered “marginal” at best, and located many people in need of assistance and ensured their rescue by either helicopter or by notifying ground crews of their locations. They placed themselves at great risk for sustained periods of time throughout the initial two day operation and many people owed their lives to the efforts of this aircrew.

EDWARD JOHN WOODHOUSE LEE, pilot, aged 27 years, of Wellington NZ, in going to the rescue of numerous people from the floodwaters in the Lockyer Valley on 10-11 January 2011.

Messrs O’Brien and Lee co-piloted Helitack 220 working in concert with Firebird 460 in support of the QFRS response during the flood events that ravaged the Lockyer Valley Their courage and airmanship was extraordinary in conditions where other helicopter service providers chose not to fly. They flew in conditions considered “marginal” at best, with strong gusting winds, torrential downpour and poor visibility, including a difficult flight up the Toowoomba range to refuel and back down again to continue to conduct rescues. They located many people in need of assistance and ensured their rescue by either winch, hover emplane or by notifying ground crews of their locations. The crew of Helitack 220 placed themselves at great risk for sustained periods of time without respite throughout the initial two day operation and many people owe their lives to the efforts of this aircrew. The 2 helicopter crews conducted 47 rescues over the 2 day period and assisted many more people in need.

KRISTOPHER JOHN CHARLES LARKIN, air crewman, aged 31 years, of Palmerston North, NZ, and

KENDALL RURRI THOMPSON, electrician, aged 27 years, of Moonbi, NSW, in going to the rescue of numerous people from the floodwaters in the Lockyer Valley on 10-11 January 2011.

Messrs Larkin and Thompson served as Air Crewman on Helitack 220 working in concert with Firebird 460 in support of the QFRS response. Their courage and airmanship was extraordinary in conditions where other helicopter service providers chose not to fly. On one such rescue at Grantham, Mr Larkin controlled the winch for Mr Thompson lowering him down to a partially submerged house being swept down-stream in the flood waters. Mr Larkin maintained control and the vital link between aircraft and rescue crew safety while Mr Thompson entered the house twice to rescue the two trapped persons and recover them via winch. They located many people in need of assistance and ensured their rescue by either winch, hover emplane or by notifying ground crews of their locations. The crew of Helitack 220 placed themselves at great risk for sustained periods of time without respite throughout the initial two day operation and many people owe their lives to the efforts of this aircrew. The 2 helicopter crews conducted 47 rescues over the 2 days period and assisted many people

PETER JAMES McCARRON, Station Officer, (QFRS), aged 46 years, of Toowoomba, Qld, in going to the rescue of two women in a vehicke in the fast flowing water in Toowoomba on 10 January 2011.

Mr McCarron responded to reports of two women trapped on a vehicle in fast flowing water in the middle of Toowoomba. On arrival the officer saw two women on a vehicle against a post in very fast moving water with debris. The water was increasing in volume and intensity. The older woman had already fallen from the vehicle and was clinging to a rope that had been thrown to her by several bystanders. Whilst formulating a plan a vehicle floated downstream and collided with the vehicle and post. The officer then made access to the women via the rope and fighting against the fierce current. When in location the vehicle blocking the force of the water moved then allowing the full force of the water to hit Mr McCarron and he was then swept from their location. The younger woman was swept away some seconds later. She made an attempt to get closer to Mr McCarron and Mr McCarron grabbed her arm but lost his grip once they collided with a partly submerge vehicle. The two became separated and Mr McCarron lost visual contact with her as they were swept to separate locations due to separate current forces. Mr McCarron was then caught in a current that he describes like a “washing machine” and was concerned for his welfare so he made his way to an access point in an elevated carpark. He tried to make visual contact then with the older woman but could not see her. He then immediately returned to his initial access point but the woman had been washed downstream. Both women were eventually washed to an area of safety. McCarron continued to search the area for some time and was advised later that day that they found safety.

DAVID ROBERT CRIGHTON, firefighter (QFRS), aged 43 years, of Pittsworth, Qld, in going to the rescue of a man from floodwaters at Toowoomba, Qld on 10 January 2011.

Senior Firefighter Ryan and Firefighter Crighton performed a swiftwater rescue on a man, who had distanced himself from a group of people that had been stranded on the corner of Dent and Margaret Streets, Toowoomba. The man was left clinging to a tree surrounded by fast flowing water littered with debris. Senior Firefighter Ryan, collected a break glass tool and had a throw bag line attached to his personal floatation device (PFD) and waded out into the water to check the cars and that no people were trapped in the cars. Senior Firefighter Ryan positioned himself in danger in the fast flowing water in order to catch the man if he lost his grip. The man was clearly starting to panic and with the turbulence of the water crashing shoulder height over him, the noise was making it hard to communicate. A van then floated at speed towards Senior Firefighter Ryan hitting three trees in its path, including the one that the man was clinging to. Miraculously the man was able to hold on. At this point one of the firefighters was able to get a throw bag line to the man which he was able to successfully tether off onto the tree.

About the same time Firefighter Crighton arrived at the scene. Senior Firefighter Ryan moved up from his position downstream where he had been in the main stream in order to catch the man if he let go. Senior Firefighter Ryan assisted Firefighter Crighton set up a diagonal tension line. Firefighter Crighton used the current to place himself within reach of the man. Senior Firefighter Ryan instructed the firefighters to send a PFD across the line for Firefighter Crighton to place onto the man. Another diagonal tension line was set up, in instructions from Senior Firefighter Ryan, in the opposite direction and as Firefighter Crighton and the man left the safety of the tree, the line did not take up due to the spring-gate carabineer releasing. Firefighter Crighton and the man began floating downstream towards a trapped ute. Senior Firefighter Ryan was able to jump across the bonnet of the ute to grab Firefighter Crighton to ensure they did not travel back out into he main stream again. Senior Firefighter Ryan wrapped his safety line around the side mirror of the ute to enable Fireghter Crighton and the man to use this to get back to safety.

(Mr Ryan was unable to attend the ceremony)

SCOTT DOUGLAS FRAME, senior firefighter (QFRS), aged 49 years, of Toowoomba, Qld, in going to the rescue of numerous people trapped in floodwaters at Toowoomba on 10 January 2011.

On 10 January 2011 Station Officer Rankine and Senior Firefighters Frame and Kendall responded to the rescue of four persons trapped on top of a vehicle at the corner of Chalk Drive and Ruthven Street, Toowoomba. With a throw bag line attached to his personal floatation device (PFD) Senior Firefighter Frame entered the water via an eddy to minimise the flow of water which was waist deep. When he reached the vehicle the people were frozen and in shock and it took some time to convince the parents of a baby to slide the baby down the windscreen to him. Once Senior Firefigher Frame delivered the baby to safety he returned for the mother and a second woman and Station Officer Rankine and Senior Firefighter Kendall assisted the man to safety.

(Mr Kendall and Mr Rankine were unable to attend the ceremony)

IAN FREDERICK BLAND, Station Officer (QFRS), aged 48 years, of Moggill, Qld, and;

BRENDAN WILLIAM ASHBY, Firefighter (QFRS), aged 26 years, of Raceview, Qld, in going to the rescue of four people trapped in floodwaters at Minden, Lockyer Valley on 11 January 2011.

Station Officer Bland and Firefighter Ashby responded to a call to a vehicle stuck in raging flood waters with 4 occupants (2 adults and 2 children) on the roof at the Lowood Minden Road crossroads. The position of the occupants was dire, the car was being held up by a fence but it was shifting. Their first attempt to access the vehicle was abandoned due to the force of the water. On their second attempt, using the barbs of a barbed wire fence in their hands to stabilise themselves, they reached the car. About 15m from the car Station Officer Bland had been knocked from the fence by a 1m length of ashphalt that was tumbling in the waters which in turn forced him to tumble in the waters but he managed to remain on course to the car slamming onto the bonnet. Firefighter Ashby, on making it to the car became pinned between the car and the barbed wire fence but eventually freed himself. Despite the risk to themselves they fitted PFDs to the 4 family members. With the car shifting and the fence beginning to break, one child slid into the water. Station Officer Bland dived in after him eventually making it to an eddy they had identified earlier. Shortly after Firefighter Ashby entered the water with the 2^nd child. Firefighter Ashby tried desperately to swim to the eddy and on his 2^nd attempt Station Officer Bland had reached Firefighter Ashby with a throw rope. As Firefighter Ashby was being pulled towards the eddy the young child became untethered and began to rapidly separate from Firefighter Ashby. Firefighter Ashby lunged for the child but could not reach him. Station Officer Bland then also dived into the raging waters for a second time in an effort to reach this child. The force of the water was too strong and Station Officer Bland was only just able to save himself. This child was later found deceased downstream. Station Officer Bland and Firefighter Ashby ensured the safety of the remaining members of the family until their evacuation by helicopter. Both Officers placed themselves in imminent danger to rescue the family and suffered both physical and emotional trauma. They were successful in saving the lives of 3 person in this instance at great risk to themselves.