The Reverend Brian Ford has been honoured for 35 years of service with the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES).
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Brian received his award on Monday after being unable to attend a NSW SES special awards ceremony in Taree on Saturday due to family commitments.
He began as a cadet with the NSW SES in the 1980s in Blacktown, Sydney.
As Brian moved around he continued to be an active member taking on extra responsibility 12 years ago when he also became an SES chaplain caring for the emotional and spiritual needs of members.
He sees his role as an extention to his position as rector for the Anglican Parish of Wingham.
Brian is dedicated to serving his community and was last year also honoured by the NSW Rural Fire Service for 15 years of service.
As an SES chaplain he has been called to support members serving in some of Australia’s biggest disasters including bushfires in Victoria, severe storms in Brisbane and Cyclone Yasi in northern Queensland in 2011.
The NSW SES presented 59 awards on Saturday including honours for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 35 years of service.
Recipients came from Camden Haven, Forster Pacific Palms, Gladstone, Kempsey, Stroud, South West Rocks, Gloucester, Harrington, Nabiac, Taree City, Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Wingham NSW SES Units.
In total, the 48 award recipients have provided 695 years of volunteering to their local communities.
Over the last 12 months, NSW SES Mid North Coast Region Units have responded to over 1,217 requests for assistance within their respective Local Government Areas, equating to 35,119 hours of volunteered service.
Three volunteers were awarded their 35 year service medals, an achievement obtained by only a select group of people throughout the 62 year history of NSW SES.
Greg Snape (Stroud Unit) and Ray Walkden (Kempsey) together with Brian (Wingham) all joined the NSW SES back in 1982 and have been serving their communities ever since.
The mission of the NSW SES is saving lives and protecting communities with a vision to be the best volunteer emergency service in Australia.
The SES recently launched its new volunteering initiative called “Volunteering Reimagined”.
The new approach provides more flexibility and options for people wanting to help their communities during storms, floods and other emergencies.
For more information visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au
