Two members of Gwandalan and Summerland Point Rural Fire Brigade have received bravery awards from the Royal Humane Society.
Gwandalan was rocked by an explosion at about 7am on Father’s Day in 2020.
Life Member and former Captain Phil Blackmore (who was Central Coast Deputy Group 4 at the time) and off duty paramedic Matt Wilson (now a member of the brigade) heard the explosion rushed to the scene to assist.
The explosion was caused by an acetylene cylinder in a car and they found an unconscious man with significant burns, wounds and bleeding.
Blackmore and Wilson commenced resuscitation on the injured man lying beside the car while the car was still burning and exploding next to them with neighbours doing their best to cool the car with a garden hose.
When further help arrived, the scene was deemed volatile and a 100m exclusion zone was established.
Blackmore and Wilson continued to work with paramedics on the injured man within the exclusion zone to give him every chance of survival regardless of the risk to themselves. During a ceremony at Government house on Friday, November 25 Blackmore and Wilson were recognised for their bravery by the Royal Humane Society of NSW and awarded the bronze medal.
They are being congratulated by the local community and fellow firefighters for the well-deserved recognition of their selfless and courageous efforts.
Source:
Gwandalan-Summerland Point Rural Fire Brigade