Less than two weeks after his community service was acknowledged with an Australian Fire Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade’s Richard Cromb has received another three honours closer to home.
At the brigade’s annual dinner at Dine Divine in Sassafras on Friday 24 June, Mr Cromb was awarded a 50-year service medal by CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan.
Mr Cromb also received the brigade’s 2021 Fire-fighter of the Year Award and will have the brigade’s primary fire-fighting tanker named in his honour.
He said he was “totally gobsmacked” by the honours.
“One reason I have stayed so long at this brigade is the people,” Mr Cromb said.
“So many here have made such a fantastic contribution to this community.”
The dinner was attended by around 70 people, including Mr Cromb’s close family members.
Mr Cromb joined the brigade in 1970 and CFA staff in 1999. As a former brigade captain, he oversaw the local response to the tragic fires which tore through Ferny Creek and the Dandenongs on 21 January 1997.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer David Renkin spoke of the respect and affection held for Mr Cromb by staff and volunteers because of his passionate and skilful contribution to training and firefighting.
Brigade Lieutenant Geoff Horner was also awarded a 45-year service medal and presented with life membership in the brigade.
Richard Laidler and former member John Schurink were acknowledged for 35-years of service.
John Tomada and Gwen Horner were commended for 30-years’ of service.
