Australian Fire Service Medal

 

CITATION

1999

 

Group Officer – Vernon RICHARSDON

 

Vernon RICHARDSON joined the Tasmania Fire Service as a volunteer fire fighter in 1980.  He served with the Huonville and Braeside Brigades and then transferred to the Summerleas Fire Brigade.  In Summerleas he rose to Deputy Brigade Chief and then to Brigade Chief in 1986.

 

In 1993 he was elected as Group Officer for the North West Bay Group of Brigades.

 

He has been involved in senior command roles at a number of major bushfires during which he demonstrated sound leadership and tactical decision making.

 

He is the State Secretary of the Tasmanian Volunteer Fire Brigades Association and is actively involved as its representative on a number of standing committees.

 

He has been a Fire Permit Officer since 1993.

 

He was awarded the National Medal in 1987 and the National Medal Clasp in 1997.