DANDENONG RANGES, VIC. — Twelve members of Kalorama-Mt. Dandenong Fire Brigade have received the Unit Citation for Courage for their actions during a destructive storm that struck the Dandenong Ranges earlier this decade.
On the night of June 9, 2021, the brigade responded to more than 34 urgent incidents, including rescues, medical assistance and welfare checks, as destructive winds brought down hundreds of trees, cut power, isolated communities and ultimately destroyed 44 homes and damaged 111.
Recipient and Brigade Captain Bill Robinson said the recognition was particularly meaningful because it reflected the efforts of so many brigade members.
“It means a lot because half of our operational firefighters have been recognised,” Bill said.
“The other half simply couldn’t get to the station because of the storm.”
“It was constant. It took us nearly 40 minutes to travel about 150 metres because we were cutting trees the whole way.”
Among the night’s rescues was an operation to help a resident whose home had been split in two by a fallen tree, leaving him unable to reach his heart medication.
“We got to him, checked he was okay, then smashed a window to get into the kitchen and retrieve his medication. We couldn’t get him out, but we could make sure he was safe until daylight.”
Brigade 1st Lieutenant Alex Felich said the conditions were unlike anything he had experienced in more than 30 years living in the area.
“The wind was absolutely howling. Trees were coming down around us and, at one stage, our cars were actually moving in the wind.
“I’ll be honest, I was scared, but you still go out because people need help.
“There are probably only two events that have really stayed with me. One was Black Saturday, when I was Captain, and the other was this storm.
“They play on your emotions. Experiences like that don’t leave you.”
Bill said that while the storm was bad, it also brought out the very best in the community.
“People looked after each other from the very beginning, and support came from communities that had been through disasters themselves. They knew what we were going through, and that meant a lot,” Bill said.
