Young volunteers from Tom Price Senior High School, who last year dedicated more than 3,000 hours to honing their emergency services skills, have taken out the top award at the 2020 Emergency Services Cadet Corps (ESCC) Awards.
The outstanding contribution and achievements of ESCC cadets and instructors across Western Australia were recognised at an awards dinner held last night.
Established 25 years ago, the ESCC program is a joint initiative between the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Department of Education, with funding provided by the Department of Communities.
Tom Price Senior High School ESCC took out the Cadet Unit Achievement Award for fundraising, catering and providing support to people affected by bushfires and illness, including helping raise $12,000 for a young girl with leukaemia.
They also worked tirelessly with the Tom Price State Emergency Service to help prepare the community in the lead up to Tropical Cyclone Damien’s crossing last month.
Jordan McIntosh, from Bunbury’s Grace Christian School, won the Cadet Achievement Award for his leadership and training skills, and his commitment to enlist fellow students to train with the Bunbury Bush Fire Brigade.
Peter McClay, from the John Tonkin College Education Support Unit in Mandurah, won the Instructor Achievement Award for his work helping young people with disabilities join the local Marine Rescue, SES and volunteer fire services.
Australind Senior High School took out the Host School Award, while the Emergency Services Brigade/Group/Unit Support Award went to Bridgetown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service.
The ESCC gives high school students the opportunity to engage with their local Bush Fire, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service or Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service brigades, State Emergency Service unit or Marine Rescue group.
Cadets develop and learn leadership, teamwork and practical life skills including first aid, radio communications, fire safety, rescue techniques, navigation and bushcraft.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:
“Congratulations to each of the winners, who have shown a great level of endeavour and commitment to the emergency services.
“Volunteers are such an important part of building a safer and more resilient Western Australia.
“Cadets and their mentors are improving the safety of their communities by developing the capacity and resilience to both prepare for, and respond to, an emergency.
“We thank them for their outstanding efforts.”
As stated by Youth Minister Dave Kelly:
“The emergency services cadet program is another great example of the youth of Western Australia demonstrating their passion and commitment to their local communities.
“I would like to pass on my congratulations for their achievements and thank them for stepping up to help make our communities safer.
“I am sure that many of these young people will continue on and become highly valued members of our emergency services.”
As stated by Education Minister Sue Ellery:
“This is a great achievement by Tom Price Senior High School and their cadet program.
“Congratulations to the school and all our schools that run these cadet programs.
“They’re a great initiative for students to learn valuable skills that could save someone’s life as well as to understand the level of commitment that other members of the community make to help keep other people safe from harm.”
The 2020 Emergency Services Cadet Corps award winners are:
Cadet Achievement Award
Jordan McIntosh, Grace Christian School Emergency Services Cadet Corps
Instructor Achievement Award
Peter McClay, John Tonkin Education Support Unit Emergency Services Cadet Corps
Cadet Unit Achievement Award
Tom Price Senior High School Emergency Services Cadet Corps
Host School Award
Australind Senior High School
Emergency Services Brigade/Group/Unit Support Award
Bridgetown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
