Emergency personnel recognised with Community Protection Medal

Five members of the ACT Emergency Services Agency, and a member of ACT Policing, have received Community Protection Medals, in recognition for their contributions to the Canberra community. 

 

The Community Protection Medal was established in 2002 to acknowledge police and emergency services members who have made sustained and distinguished, or outstanding service to the community. 

 

The medals are awarded each year, with the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson, presenting them to the recipients during a ceremony this week. 

 

In recognition of his commitment to the provision and improvement of professional pre-hospital emergency services within the ACT Ambulance Service Communication Centre. During his 14-year career with the Service, Michael has progressed through the Communications Centre as a call taker, to now being the Coordination Officer. His leadership and experience has assisted in building the knowledge of the team around him, ensuring the Canberra community have call takers who can respond effectively in times of need. 

 

In recognition of his distinguished and outstanding contribution to community safety through the awareness and promotion of firefighter health, safety and wellbeing. Throughout his 22-year career, Commander Cassis has dedicated his time, over and above that required of his regular duties, to develop and improve process and procedure around firefighter safety, including being a Peer Support Officer and Health and Safety Representative. 

 

In recognition of his leadership within ESA for almost 20 years. Whether during an emergency event or day-to-day operations, Colin consistently provides outstanding service, working tirelessly to deliver aid and support to the Services as they responded to emergencies and helped the community. During the most recent emergency events of fire, smoke, storm, and the pandemic, Colin proved himself to be an adaptable, reliable, competent, and compassionate leader, colleague, and mentor. 

 

In recognition of her sustained distinguished and outstanding service to the ACT community over the past 15 years as an extremely highly regarded and effective police officer, instructor, mentor, and role model. Detective Sergeant Gilliland’s work has revolutionised the delivery of training and investigations into sexual offences and child abuse in the ACT and is now recognised internationally as best practice. Detective Sergeant Gilliland has had a major positive contribution to the lives of numerous victims in Canberra and is an exemplary police officer in every regard. 

 

Adam has significantly increased membership participation and ensured that there are robust teams ready for emergency callouts. His active participation in all aspects of the ACTSES, from frontline operations, to training and community engagement, exemplifies his commitment to service. Adam has fostered a culture of preparedness and resilience, ensuring his team is always ready to provide critical assistance to the ACT community during storms, floods and land searches. 

 

In recognition of her sustained service to training and recruitment across the ACT Rural Fire Service. For the past 15 years, Nicola has provided outstanding service to individual and collective training and recruitment, and provided administration and operational support to the Service. During her service, Nicola has served as the Gungahlin Brigade Training Coordinator and has coordinated 10 firefighter courses. She has also been the lead assessor across courses and her knowledge and wisdom will shape the next generation of firefighters within the ACT Community.