grove news
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Awards celebrated by fire brigade OCEAN Grove Fire Brigade responded to 328 calls over the past year. Of those, 92 were primary calls for Ocean Grove and 236 were support calls to other brigades. The brigade responded to 246 calls for the same period the previous financial year, of which 90 were primary calls for Ocean Grove and 156 were support calls to other brigades. The figures cover the period when the brigade has successfully moved to full integration of the career firefighters (paid) and volunteers. The integration of staff at Ocean Grove and the Bellarine Group of brigades started in October 2014 on a 24/7 basis. Even last week’s annual dinner at Ocean Grove Bowling Club was now fully integrated, Officer in Charge Ian Beswicke said “Like all changes that happen this has an impact on the way CFA delivers it services to the community and also impacts on the volunteers within the Bellarine Group,” said Mr Beswicke. “The volunteers at Ocean Grove have been very supportive of the process, as this has had the greatest impact on them. The other brigades and the group have also supported the process. The staff have been proactive in interacting
and supporting the volunteers at Ocean Grove station, all other brigades and the Bellarine Group. “I would like to thank the officers and members of Bellarine Group and all the brigades for their support and patience as we imbed the staff into the Ocean Grove station and the processes needed to support all brigades.” Mr Beswicke said that the end result is that CFA delivers an “enhanced service to all communities and brigades on the Bellarine Peninsula with the staff from Ocean Grove responding to all calls for all brigades with specialist equipment and skills”. There was also positive comment about who the staff now support the brigades in training, community activities and pre incident planning. On the night there were major awards given to a number volunteers and career firefighters who worked during the 2009 bushfires. Long service medals were also awarded, with volunteer Silvia Pearce receiving her 50 year medal. Fireman of the Year was Craig Cann, while soon-to-be departing for career firefighter Angus Rollinson took out the prestigious Keith Fisher Full Flush Award.
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Keith Fisher Full Flush award winner Angus Rollinson.
Fireman of the Year: Craig Cann.
National Emergency Medal: Steve Gibbs.
National Emergency Medal: Adam Wakeling.
National Emergency Medal: Martin Geerings.
National Emergency Medal: Sarah Goette.
Sylvia Pearce was awarded the 50 years service medal and received the Member award with husband Doug.
The brigade management team.
National Emergency Medal: Morry Barry, on behalf of son Jason.
Adrian Bryan