Bill Rouse, recipient of an Australian Fire Service Medal in the national Australia Day awards. Picture: PETER PICKERING
POMONAL - Pomonal Fire Brigade member, Bill Rouse, received a pleasant surprise when he was named as a recipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal in the Australia Day honours list.
Since joining the Metropolitan Board (MFB) in 1989, Mr Rouse has consistently provided the highest level of dedication, reliability, diplomacy and uncompromising attention to technical detail in all forms of technical rope rescue work across all Victoria's emergency services.
For the majority of his distinguished career, he has dedicated himself to the development and implementation of expert operation of technical rescue systems, a dedication which he has placed before his own desire to advance in rank.
He is unquestionably the subject matter expert in this field and his interpersonal skills, combined with a highly developed understanding of volunteer and career emergency service cultures, has created a strong rope rescue team approach that can operate at an emergency alongside rescue workers from other agencies.
In addition to his daily operational firefighting duties, Mr Rouse has specialised as an operator, instructor and assessor for Urban Search and Rescue, High Angle Rescue, Heavy Rescue and Confined Space Rescue.
He has also been a serving member of the Stawell State Emergency Service since 2004 and a volunteer with the Pomonal Fire Brigade since 2006.
CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson has extended his congratulations to CFA members recognised in the 2013 Australia Day Honours list.
As Mr Ferguson visited hundreds of firefighters who continue to work on going fires in Gippsland and the high country, he said it was timely to reflect on the incredible efforts of CFA members in protecting lives and property around the State.
"Both CFA and the wider community can be very proud of the achievements of these individuals," Mr Ferguson said.
"The honours bestowed today reflect the dedication of every CFA member, and with many still battling fires today it's a timely reminder of the outstanding work all our people do."