Seventeen local firefighters were recognised with one of CFA’s highest honours for their response to a serious school bus crash in 2022.
Firefighters from Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Melton Fire Brigades received the distinguished Unit Citation for Service from CFA deputy chief officer Garry Cook at a ceremony in Myrniong on Sunday, May 18.
The award honours the firefighters’ response to a major crash on the Western Freeway in Pentland Hills on September 21 in 2022, where a school bus carrying 27 students and four staff from Loreto College Ballarat was struck at speed by a truck with a semi-trailer.
CFA firefighters were among the first emergency services to arrive, where crews descended a steep embankment using a secured hose reel, carrying rescue tools to reach and assist injured and disoriented students.
Fifteen students and one staff member were hospitalised, and there were no fatalities.
Mr Cook said that the scene was “incredibly complex and emotionally charged,” and CFA members showed “true professionalism under pressure.”
Captain of Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade Ryan O’Shannessy, who was the CFA Incident Controller, said it was one of the most confronting incidents his crew had faced.
“It was a call-out that really showed the heart of our members, stepping in with empathy, skill and care to help a busload of young students and teachers who’d just been through something terrifying,” Mr O’Shannessy said.
“Seeing our crews comfort those kids, assess injuries and stay calm under pressure made me incredibly proud. It was a true team effort — not just from the three CFA brigades, but also from Fire Rescue Victoria, VICSES, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria,” he said.
Ballan Fire Brigade captain Ben Hatfield said the organisation was “proud to receive this on behalf of our brigades, but more importantly, we’re proud of how our members responded that day.”
