A fire family

By Kelly Yates
FIREFIGHTER Phil Sandell has been announced as “firefighter of the year” at the Narre Warren Fire Brigade’s annual awards night.
The achievements of firefighters were recognised at the event last Saturday night.
The “firefighter of the year” award is only presented to operational members of the brigade and is often determined by the commitment, dedication and leadership demonstrated by the Narre Warren firefighters.
Voting for the award is by a secret ballot every month, with the votes being tallied each year.
Mr Sandell, 20, said he was pleased and shocked to receive the award.
The Narre Warren resident has been a member of the brigade for four years, saying he decided to join because he wanted to lend a helping lend.
“The highlights of the job are going out to a fire and doing a good save, where no lives are lost or property damaged,” he said.
Mr Sandell recalls the Black Saturday fires in Narre Warren South as being “unexplainable.”
“That day will stick with the firefighters and everyone involved forever,” he said.
Mr Sandell described the Narre Warren Fire Brigade as being like his “family.”
“I have many adopted mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters there,” he laughed.
“I’ve made a lot of friends for life there.”
Fourth Lieutenant Bundock said the evening was also sponsored by a number of companies who kindly donated gifts for the raffle.
>>>For full story and more pictures from the Narre Warren Fire Brigade’s annual awards night turn to page 123.