South Australia’s firefighting heroes have been commemorated in a memorial service held in the State’s South-East last Saturday (9 April).
Executive Director Operations for the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS), Assistant Chief Officer Brett Loughlin said community members joined families, friends and colleagues of firefighters lost in the line of duty at the service, which was held at the SA Volunteers Fire Fighters Memorial in Naracoorte.
Assistant Chief Officer Loughlin said a plaque honouring fallen firefighter Louise Hincks was unveiled during the ceremony, acknowledging Ms Hincks’s service to the CFS and the ultimate sacrifice that she, like others before her, had made to protect their community.
He said there were 16 plaques honouring the CFS firefighters who had previously died in the line of service and a separate plaque in memory of the eight Forestry SA personnel who lost their lives in the Wandilo Forest Fire on 5 April 1958.
“The annual service is an important time to pause and reflect on the dedication, commitment and bravery of all CFS volunteers,” Assistant Chief Officer Loughlin said.
“The memorial service provides an important moment in time to reflect on those that have been lost whilst protecting and serving their community.”
He said this year’s memorial was particularly emotional for the community and the entire CFS family.
“Louise was not only a dedicated CFS volunteer with the Eden Hills and Happy Valley brigades, but also an incredible support for the wider Emergency Services Sector through her extensive work with SAFECOM’s Stress Prevention and Management program,” Assistant Chief Officer Loughlin said.
Chairman of the SA Volunteer Fire Fighters Museum, Rex Hall said this year’s ceremony involved the Happy Valley cadets, who lowered flags to half-mast before a minute’s silence.
