Emergency services volunteers have been recognised for their efforts to rescue school children from a bus accident in Exford near Eynesbury last May and their “brave and selfless” response to another crash Pentland Hills in September 2022..
On May 2023, a truck collided with a school bus carrying 46 children at Exford.
A large-scale multi-agency rescue taking several hours was undertaken, with several children suffering life-altering injuries in the incident.
To recognise the exceptional leadership, professionalism and dedication of crews involved, members from Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and Victorian State Emergency Service (VICSES) received awards at a ceremony on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said he was honoured to present CFA members with the CFA Unit Citation for Service and the Chief Officer’s Commendation for their incredible efforts that day.
“I’m proud of all our members and our partner emergency services for their exceptional work on an extremely traumatic incident,” he said.
“Our crews faced the fear of responding to an incident where they knew some of the casualties which is always incredibly challenging, but crews set their minds to the task at hand and as a result saved many young lives.”
FRV commissioner Gavin Freeman said this was a tragic event, and it was fitting to thank the first responders at FRV, CFA and VICSES and recognise their dedication and service during extremely difficult circumstances.
“The crash site was a particularly confronting scene, especially for the public, who were first to assist our emergency responders. Interagency cooperation saw us ‘work as one’, with our joint effort instilling confidence in our first responders,” Che said.
“I’m proud to recognise and thank the FRV firefighters involved through the awarding of a Commissioner’s Commendation and FRV Unit Citation for Service. Our firefighters, along with CFA and VICSES, worked for many hours to free those who were trapped and offered comfort during this tragedy.”
VICSES chief officer Tim Wiebusch said this award is a welcome recognition of these volunteers’ selflessness and congratulated each and every one of them.
“These incidents presented unique physical, mental and emotional challenges for our VICSES volunteers, which were only exacerbated by having children involved.”
Bacchus Marsh SES volunteers received a group commendation of service award on April 18, for their response to a collision between a B-double truck and bus on September 21, 2022, which caused the bus to flip and careen down an embankment.
Twenty-seven children and four adults required assistance from emergency services, who were required to lug rescue equipment across difficult terrain and co-ordinate with other rescue providers.
Nobody died in the crash, but two children were airlifted to a nearby hospital while others were treated by paramedics at the scene.
“Our professional volunteers showcased their specialist rescue skills and lived out VICSES’ value commitment to its community in such a complex rescue involving mass casualties, working efficiently and collaboratively with our partner agencies to successfully rescue multiple victims in life-threatening scenarios, whilst assisting multiple walking wounded as well,” Mr Wiebusch said.
SES Bacchus Marsh unit controller Mick Schembri said his crew members always work to provide the best service for the community.
“VICSES volunteers don’t turn out to these incidents in the hope of receiving an award for their response – we turn out to ensure the safety of our community and, along with the other emergency service providers on scene, we were able to do so on this occasion,” he said.
“Our volunteers are resourceful, brave and selfless, and they have provided an important service to their community each day since this event.”
