Murraylands quiet achievers given new SA Country Fire Service awards

Two humble Murraylands firefighters have received a new CFS award on International Firefighters’ Day.

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Swanport deputy group officer Sam Hagger receives a Chief’s Officer’s Commendation for Service from SA CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin. Photo: CFS.

To mark International Firefighters’ Day on 4 May, the CFS Emergency Services HQ at Keswick hosted the first Chief Officer Awards ceremony and gave two awards to Murraylands fireys.

Mypolonga’s Sam Hagger and Mannum’s Jeremy Strauss were two of the worthy recipients of the awards, largely for their contributions to protecting the community during the recent floods.

According to the CFS Foundation Facebook page, the awards recognise the “CFS volunteers who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and selflessness in their roles as volunteer firefighters”.

CFS Region 3 (Murraylands and Riverland) regional operations manager Chris Bastian described Chief Officer Award winners Sam Hagger and Jeremy Strauss as “quiet achievers”.

“These guys just don’t give up,” Mr Bastian said.

“They’re like rust – they never stop working.”

CFS’s Swanport deputy group officer Sam Hagger is so humble about his Chief Officer’s Commendation for Service that he didn’t even make his family aware of his award.

“I was trying to keep it quiet – I’m not a good salesman of myself,” he joked.

“The award’s nice recognition, but also the hard work of the other members is why you do the role.”

Mr Bastian spoke about how valuable Mr Hagger is to CFS’s Region 3 and the CFS at large.

“He’s fantastic: Sam is a significant asset to our local community through his above-and-beyond leadership,” he said.

“He and his peers are out from 11 o’clock until 7 o’clock and beyond.”

Mannum brigade captain Jeremy Strauss receives a Chief Officer’s Commendation for Service from SA CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin. Photo: CFS.

Mannum brigade captain Jeremy Strauss received a Chief Officer’s Commendation for Service for providing effective and professional leadership during the Ribever Murray floods, specifically at the end of 2022.

International Firefighters Day is also known as St. Florian’s Day, as St. Florian established the first fire service back in ancient Rome and is the patron saint of firefighters.

On International Firefighters’ Day, CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin reinforced the crucial work of the CFS volunteers.

“Rural and regional South Australia could not flourish without your tireless efforts, and we are immensely proud of you, and you should be proud of the work you do,” he said.

Mr Jagger encouraged more people to become involved in the Murraylands CFS.

“We always looking to recruit new members in time of need,” he said.

• More information: Phone 8532 6800 or visit cfs.sa.gov.au.