Top captain

By Kelly Yates
THE captain of the Narre Warren North Fire Brigade has been presented with the brigade’s Len Sonogan Award recognising the complete firefighter.
Shaun Trotter told the News he was shocked and humbled at receiving the award, which was voted by the brigade’s 42 members, at the annual presentation dinner.
This is the first time the firefighter has received an award at the Narre Warren North Road brigade.
Mr Trotter, who has been the captain at the station for nearly three years, said he started his firefighting career 26 years ago when he joined The Basin Fire Brigade.
“My family are involved with the CFA so I was simply just following in their footsteps,” he said.
“My brother is a member of the Langwarrin Fire Brigade and my grandfather is a life-member of the CFA.”
The 41-year-old spent 14 years working in the navy as an engineer.
Mr Trotter joined the Narre Warren North Fire Brigade in 1997 after moving into the area.
He described the Narre Warren North Fire Brigade as a family-orientated brigade. “The team has grown in the last two years with a lot of the new members joining because they wanted to give something back to the community,” he said. “And joining a local fire brigade is a way they can do that.”
Mr Trotter received his award at the brigade’s awards dinner on 1 August surrounded by around 90 people.
Many other awards were also handed out on the night, with the firefighter of the year award going to Rod MacDonald.
Mr Trotter presented the Captain’s Award to Kevin Chisholm.
“The Captain’s Award is an encouragement award and Ken scored it as in the past 12 months he has done a fortune of work around the brigade such as cleaning and changing the light bulbs,” he said.
Around 20 service awards were also given out recognising members reaching from five to 10 years service to the CFA.
Mr Trotter said Black Saturday, where 180 hectares of property was destroyed in Narre Warren North, brought back memories of the first large fire he fought at the age of 14 years, Ash Wednesday.
“I remembered the devastation from Ash Wednesday yet on Black Saturday it was a different situation as I was in charge of the firefighters, with some of them spread across the state,” he said.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Shar Balmes said she was impressed by the respect the members had for Mr Trotter.
“I can’t praise volunteer firefighters enough,” Cr Balmes said.
“They allow the rest of us the security and peace of mind of knowing that in case of emergency, help is at hand. They are heroes, as proven during Black Saturday, selflessly and tirelessly giving of themselves and putting their lives on hold and on the line for their community.”
The Narre Warren North Fire Brigade is currently recruiting for junior members, aged between 12 and 16, to learn about life at the brigade. For details call the Narre Warren North Fire Brigade on 9796 8283.