Emergency Service Medal awarded to Kevin Poile

Maroondah SES Unit Controller Kevin Poile was awarded the prestigious Emergency Service Medal (ESM) yesterday as part of the Australian Day honours.

The ESM recognises distinguished service by members of emergency services across Australia, and is well earned by Kevin who has committed close to 35 years of service as a volunteer with the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES). Kevin was the only Victorian recipient of this award and one of only 14 across Australia.

When asked about his achievement within the service Kevin commented "It doesn't seem like a lot at the time, but when you look back over three decades you start to think, golly gosh, I have done a bit!"

Some of the highlights of Kevin's VICSES career to date have been finding better ways to engage with, educate and support the local community through FloodSafe, StormSafe and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) programs as well as leading operational deployments both interstate and across Victoria.

Kevin has been the Unit Controller for the Maroondah Unit for 5 years and has presented at the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council conference on the experience of VICSES with CALD programs.

Kevin's work with the community was also recognised by the Marrondah City Council yesterday who nominated him for Citizen of the Year.