Mapping and planning support volunteers recognised for long service


Released 31/07/2018

Twelve Mapping and Planning Support (MAPS) volunteers have received the inaugural ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) Long Service Medal to recognise the skills and service they have provided to emergency management over the past decade.

MAPS volunteers are qualified spatial or Graphic Information System (GIS) professionals who volunteer with the ACT ESA to assist in providing mapping and GIS support during emergency incidents.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman said that MAPS volunteers have provided a total of nearly 750 days of assistance to emergency service agencies across eastern Australia since 2006. MAPS volunteers supported emergency operations during the Black Saturday Bushfires (2009), Cyclone Yasi (2010-11) and the Carwoola Bushfires (2017).

“Canberra is home to the largest concentration per capita of GIS professionals in Australia and the MAPS program provides a valuable link between emergency managers and volunteer GIS professionals,” Minister Gentleman said.

“MAPS volunteers play a vital role in keeping emergency responders and the community safe.

“I was pleased to officially recognise the professional services volunteered to the ACT ESA by awarding the eight MAPS volunteers in attendance today the inaugural ESA Long Service Medal.”

List of medal recipients and their length of service:

  • Heike Apps – 10 years
  • Ian Batley – 12 years
  • Marcus Blake – 10 years
  • Frank Blanchfield – 12 years
  • Larysa Halas – 10 years
  • John Lee – 10 years
  • Giovanna Lorenzin – 10 years
  • Geoff Luton – 10 years
  • Richard Nash – 10 years
  • Tim Johns - 10 years
  • Amanda Kildea – 10 years
  • Ryan Lawrey – 10 years

The volunteers and staff who have provided enabling services to the ACT ESA for ten years or more that will be recognised under this award may include Governance & Logistics, People & Culture, Risk & Planning, Media and Executive Support.

- Statement ends -

Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases


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