ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTFRS) volunteer firefighter Christopher Puschak won the 2021 ACT Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards in the volunteer category late last week.

Mr Puschak has been involved with the ACT Emergency Services Agency for the past 24 years and is currently the treasurer of the Hall Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade.

Whilst being an active volunteer firefighter, Mr Puschak has been commended for his dedication and commitment to his service and his crew especially over the 2019 fire season where he defended regions of Nerriga, Adminaby, Tumut, and Orroral Valley.

During that time he volunteered to do additional shifts and stayed back to support the wellbeing of his crew since they had limited operational experience.

ACTRFS chief officer Rohan Scott also won the 2021 ACT Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards, but in the paid category.

Mr Scott has spent more than 20 years as a volunteer firefighter before assuming the position of chief officer at the ACTRFS.

He has been commended for devoting his time to develop a stronger more resilient ACTRFS by initiating several health and wellbeing programs following the 2020 Black Summer fire season.

Mr Puschak and Mr Scott were chosen from eight finalists, and ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner Georgeina Whelan said paid and volunteer emergency services personnel play a vital role in keeping the community safe.

“These awards are a fantastic way to honour the contribution of both paid staff and volunteer members. The RESCA is the only time emergency services personnel, both paid and volunteer, are recognised in a combined awards program,” commissioner Whelan said.

“Our emergency services personnel have worked tirelessly to protect the lives and property both in the ACT and on deployment interstate over the past 18 months, and I am very proud of the finalists for being recognised by their community on their achievements.

“I would like to express my gratitude for the ongoing commitment and dedication of each our finalists and congratulations to both 2021 RESCA winners.”