KERANG Country Fire Authority captain Ramon Steel received an unexpected honour on July 12 when he was presented with the Chief Officer’s Commendation Certificate.
The award acknowledges outstanding service and leadership skills within the community, recognising the role Mr Steel took in the major flood events of 2011 and 2022 in co-ordinating the community effort to support the Victoria State Emergency Service and other emergency services.
Presenting the award, CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said he was extremely proud of Mr Steel’s committed and determined approach throughout what were such challenging times for Victoria.
“I commend Ramon for his outstanding courage and composure alongside multi-agencies as he led recovery teams through floodwaters and rescue efforts, and for exhibiting the true spirit of CFA at all times,” Mr Heffernan said.
“The selfless acts of leadership and generosity exemplify the dedication he has as a firefighter, with the protection of lives and property at the forefront of his service.
“Ramon is well deserving of this commendation, and I am honoured to present him with this accolade in front of those who know his true nature best.”
The award presentation took both Mr Steel and his colleagues by surprise.
Mr Steel said he was very humbled to receive the prestigious award and extremely surprised.
“We don’t do it for awards and recognition, but when it comes your way, it does make you humble and feel very much appreciated,” he said.
During the most recent floods Mr Steel was able to organise and co-ordinate volunteers in the sandbagging operation.
“We arranged a sandbagging depot, and I am fortunate to work for Mawsons Concrete so we were able to use their yard in Kerang as a depot to have deliveries made and sandbags filled,” Mr Steel said.
“We also co-ordinated sandbagging teams to go out to deliver and lay the bags.”
Mr Steel has been a CFA volunteer for 40 years, and the past 20 years has been captain of the brigade, with a strong contingent of 34 active members who are all volunteers.
The CFA is far from just a bush fire response service in Kerang, and they have already responded to 99 events so far this year, including domestic fires and road vehicle accidents.
Over his time in the service, he has seen many changes, including the intense level of training that new recruits receive and ongoing training for members.
“It’s a really good thing. Back 40 years ago you just jumped in the truck and learnt as you went with expert advice of the senior members of the day,” Mr Steel said.
“Now from when you are recruited to the time you are able to get on a truck it is up to six months.”
Some of the major events that have marked Mr Steel’s time include the Kerang rail disaster, two pub fires, hayshed fires and of course the flood events.
Mr Steel said the brigade was held in high regard in the community.
“None of this can happen without the people around me, it’s as simple as that,” he said
“I might be the leader but unless you’ve got the people following you it doesn’t happen.”
