A CAREER of 43 years negotiating, fighting and more often, preventing fires has led a Glen Forrest resident to become one of only two in the State to receive a distinctly Australian award this year.
Kevin Pollock will be presented with the Australian Fire Medal at a special ceremony in September, for distinguished service, professionalism and dedication. The medal was added to the Federal honours list in 1988 and is “a great honour” to the humble district fire co-ordinator with the Department of Environment and Conservation.
Covering a patch stretching from Bindoon to Waroona and York, he said the team that helps him carry out prescribed burns is equally deserving.
“They make my job a lot easier, and really, I was just doing my job, which I love, so did not really expect this,” Mr Pollock said.
“I was just doing what I am supposed to, and we get enough thanks from the residents in the areas we protect, as they are appreciative of what we do, realising that it reduces the risk to them.”
A staunch advocate of prescribed burns, he believes they saved the Perth Hills from a tragedy similar to that Victorians faced recently by reducing the fuel load in the area. But the program faces myriad rules and government policies.
“We have to be mindful of where the smoke goes, as we are not allowed to send smoke into the city and that does have an impact on what we can do.” Mr Pollock said.