RESCA

Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards
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Australian Emergency Services Community Awards
The Emergency Service Community Awards are designed to recognise our emergency service personnel who have reflected the Rotary motto of “Service above Self”.


Emergency Services Community Awards patrons:
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and
Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley
2021 National Winners - click here   - Previous Winners here
National Awards presentation 2022 -  Date to be confirmed
Select Your State
Please select your State/Region to learn more about Rotary Emergency Service Community Awards in your state or territory
Currently only ACT and NSW take part
Shoalhaven Nominations now closed
NOMINATIONS       
Rotary  Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA) ask the Community to help us recognise outstanding Community  Service performed by paid and volunteer members of Emergency Service  Agencies through the Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA)

Rotary is seeking the unsung heroes in your communities that are  often the quiet achievers, never asking for recognition but making a  significant difference in your community.

Emergency Service Personnel can be nominated by colleague, family and any members of the community.  Panels of independent judges will then assess nominees on three (3) key criteria:
  • Community service over and above the call of normal duties which best exemplifies Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self (i.e. community involvement when they are not working in their normal roles).
  • Personal attributes
  • Contribution to their organisation
Nominations when open are submitted by selecting the nomination button below

NOMINATIONS for 2022 NOW OPEN

2021 National Winners


ANDREW RYAN – NSW Ambulance - Paid capacity
Years ago, Andrew Ryan became dedicated to the idea of providing a permanent round the clock rescue helicopter for the Illawarra region, and, beginning in 1998, he worked for months without pay with a paramedic team to medically man such a helicopter. That helicopter service is now renowned. Andrew has been involved in the response to many disasters, including the Thredbo Landslide, the New Zealand Earthquake and numerous bushfire emergencies. Andrew also performed a dangerous night-time helicopter rescue of a family trapped on a roof by floodwaters. He was also instrumental in the rescue and care of a workmate fatally injured in an accident near Robertson, where he cared for the victim’s family too.

Christopher Puschak – ACT Rural Fire Service - Volunteer capacity
Chris has been involved with the emergency services for 24 years and is currently working as Treasurer of the Hall Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade while also being an active volunteer Firefighter. He played a vital role in the 2019 fire season where he defended regions of Nerriga, Adaminaby, Tumut, and Orroral Valley. Here, he volunteered to do additional shifts and also stayed back to support the wellbeing of his crew since they had limited operational experience. Besides firefighting, he is a Venture Scout Leader and passionately shares his knowledge about abseiling, 4wding, canoeing and bushwalking.
Beneficiary of Awards

Australian Rotary Health
PhD Research Scholarship into PTSD in Emergency Services Workers
Emergency Service officers are regularly exposed to traumatic  events, which they can repeatedly re-experience through nightmares or  flashbacks. It is estimated that 10 per cent of current emergency  service workers have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The first set of national guidelines for the treatment and diagnosis  of PTSD in frontline emergency service workers was recently released by a  group of Australian clinicians and researchers. The guidelines explore  how to treat PTSD in emergency workers and reduce symptoms, as well as  the best ways to ensure the person can be transitioned back to work.
To complement these initiatives, Australian Rotary Health has  announced it will be co-funding with Rotary District 9675 (funding  provided by RESCA), a Funding Partner PhD Scholarship for research into  PTSD in emergency services.
Further  research will look at in-depth ways workers experience PTSD and  alleviate the mental health burden on our emergency services.
 
Latest information on PhD sholarship can be found here
More information about Australian Rotary Health

Australian Rotary Health
PO Box 3455
Parramatta, NSW 2124
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CONTACT INFO

ACT Chair: Steve Hill Past District Governor
         actchair@rescawards.org.au or 0412854047

NSW Chair: Ron Browne
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