Queensland Fire Services personnel recognised for distinguished service in King’s Birthday Honours

Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services The Honourable Mark Ryan
  • Three Queensland Fire Services personnel have been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in today’s King’s Birthday Honours List.
  • Auxiliary Captain Ashley Cupitt, Acting Superintendent Graeme Hall and First Officer Waine Scott have been named as Queensland’s AFSM recipients.
  • The AFSM recognises the distinguished service by a member of an Australian fire service and is awarded to both paid and volunteer personnel.

Queensland Fire Services personnel have today been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List and awarded the prestigious Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).

Auxiliary Captain Ashley Cupitt, Acting Superintendent Graeme Hall and volunteer Firefighter Waine Scott have been awarded the AFSM for their exemplary service and dedication to their communities.

Captain Cupitt has served as an auxiliary firefighter for more than 46 years and was awarded the AFSM for his outstanding leadership and commitment to enhancing the auxiliary firefighter workforce throughout Far Northern Region.

Acting Superintendent Hall commenced as a professional firefighter in 1989.

He was awarded the AFSM for his leadership, critical expertise and commitment to building Queensland’s and Australia’s urban search and rescue capability, mentoring international teams and establishing the highly regarded damage assessment methodology in Queensland.

First Officer Mr Scott has provided distinguished service to the Rural Fire Service (RFS) for more than 37 years as a respected member of the Cooberrie Brigade.

He was awarded the AFSM for his exemplary leadership in numerous fire events and for his contributions towards operational capability through training volunteers.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan:

“Across Queensland, Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) and RFS personnel continually put themselves on the frontline in order to keep Queenslanders safe,” Minister Ryan said.

“They don’t seek recognition or praise, but the outstanding work they do should never be underestimated.

“The three outstanding Queenslanders who have been honoured today have put themselves in harm’s way to protect others and they exemplify the qualities that make our State special.

“They should be proud of this special recognition and of the significant contributions they make every day.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Greg Leach:

“Each AFSM recipient has consistently gone above and beyond in the line of duty for their communities and should be proud of this well-deserved recognition,” Mr Leach said.

“I am incredibly proud of the three firefighters who thoroughly deserve this prestigious medal and I want to thank them on behalf of QFES for their decades of service to this state.”

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