Cade Lucas
Two Werribee firefighters who saved a woman from a burning home in March last year were honoured for their bravery at the Werribee CFA’s annual dinner on May 20.
Volunteer firefighter Mick Davie and Fire Rescue Victoria member Rodney Mitchell were both off duty when they noticed a plume of smoking rising from a Wyndham Vale home just after midday on March 26 2022.
Arriving before the fire brigade, Mr Davie and Mr Mitchell noticed a woman was trapped inside the burning home.
Both men then climbed up onto the roof and removed roofing tiles before pulling the woman to safety.
Mr Davie then went back to the Werribee fire station, put on his firefighting uniform and returned to the house to help bring the blaze under control.
Both men were awarded framed Chiefs Commendations by CFA Deputy chief officer Gavin Thomspon at the annual dinner, among a number of members honoured.
Brigade secretary Joshua Redman was awarded the evening’s most prestigious award, firefighter of the year, while Jim and Pauline Bright received the Pengelly award for administrative and recording service.
Several members received long service awards, including John Ryan who was awarded CFA life membership for 55 years service.
Among the only members to have served longer is former Werribee CFA captain and brigade spokesman Darryl Wells who last year celebrated 60 years of service.
Wells said there were good reasons why volunteers stay with the CFA for so long.
“It’s a very fulfilling task being a volunteer firie.
“There’s not only the camaraderie of being in the brigade, but you’re performing a task that helps the local community.”
As well as honouring those who’ve been involved for decades, Mr Wells said the Werribee CFA had a new generation coming through too.
“We’ve got a junior brigade who start off at 11 and go through to 16 and we’ve got a waiting list because it’s so popular.”
