2017 ACT Community Protection Medals awarded


Released 25/07/2017

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman, today attended a ceremony to award the 2017 ACT Community Protection Medals to recipients from the ACT’s emergency services.

“I am very proud to be able to honour today the recipients of this medal who work so hard to protect the ACT and its community,” Minister Gentleman said.  

The Community Protection Medal was established in 2002 to acknowledge police and emergency services members who have given sustained, distinguished or outstanding service to the community through their involvement in ACT Policing, ACT Fire & Rescue, ACT Rural Fire Service, ACT Ambulance Service, ACT State Emergency Service or the Emergency Services Agency.

“These medals are an opportunity to recognise the men and women who serve the ACT with dedication and commitment.  

“While we are awarding six community protection medals, I want to thank the men and woman of the entire emergency services who through their hard work and dedication also service the ACT community.  Their job is often tough, but today I’m thanking them for their commitment and effort in making Canberra a safe place to live, work and play,” Minister Gentleman said.

The six recipients of the 2017 ACT Community Protection Medal are:

  • Mr Anthony Kidney from the ACT Rural Fire Service (RFS) who commenced his service as a volunteer in the ACT Rural Fire Service in 2004.  In this time, Mr Kidney has consistently contributed to the RFS through his work in training development, community awareness and support of his fellow volunteers and their wellbeing.
  • Mr John Slater from the ACT Ambulance Services (ACTAS), who has been with ACTAS for 22 years.
    Mr Slater is currently the Clinical Education Officer and has trained and educated ambulance paramedics, intensive care paramedics, patient transport officers and emergency call takers and dispatchers.
  • Mr Michael Ward, who has served the ACT community as a police officer for 31 years.  Mr Ward recently retired from ACT Policing, and served in a number of positions during his tenure, including stints overseas, and most recently, training new members within ACT Policing Operations.
  • Ms Susan Staude from the ACT State Emergency Service (SES) who joined the service in 2012 and quickly became a champion of educating the community, focusing on vulnerable members of the community, people from a CALD background and disability and senior groups.
  • Mr Steven Forbes from the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA), who has been with the ESA for 12 years, but has spent over 21 years protecting the ACT and NSW community.  Mr Forbes is the Manager of the Spatial Services section of the ACT ESA and has led a number of significant projects that have benefitted the ACT community and ESA.
  • Mr Wieslaw Lichacz from ACT Fire and Rescue (ACTFR), who has been with the ACTFR Community Fire Unit (CFU) program since its inception in 2004.  Mr Lichacz is a long serving member of the CFU Consultative Committee which represents over 900 volunteers.

- Statement ends -

Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases


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