General News
5 May, 2023
Horsham firey earns Emergency Medal
Jesse Raggatt, a member of the Horsham group of brigades, has been awarded the National Emergency Medal for his role in fighting the 2019–20 NSW bushfires. “We don’t do it for the medal, we do it for the community spirit,” Jesse said after...
Jesse Raggatt, a member of the Horsham group of brigades, has been awarded the National Emergency Medal for his role in fighting the 2019–20 NSW bushfires.
“We don’t do it for the medal, we do it for the community spirit,” Jesse said after receiving the accolade.
The CFA honoured 55 District 17 emergency response officers for their determination throughout the 2019–20 bushfire crisis, presenting them with National Emergency Medals.
The ceremony took place at the Horsham Town Hall on Thursday April 27.
Jesse, a 32-year-old Quantong local, is the second lieutenant of the Vectis brigade and fifth deputy group officer of the Horsham group of brigades.
During the bushfires, he and his fellow group members were placed at a town close to the Blue Mountains.
“We were transported by the air force from Melbourne to NSW and stayed at Richmond Air Base in Sydney,” he said.
“We were deployed on November 14, 2019 for a week in a town called Wisemans Ferry near the Blue Mountains.
“I had 40 people in my group, of which 11 were from the Horsham group.”
Jesse said that although there were difficulties, the experience was amazing.
“It was a great experience, a different experience, but we also faced some challenges,” he said.
“One of the biggest challenges was using the fire-fighting water.
"We had to be mindful of how to use water as there wasn't much water around.
“We did some community engagement as well where we engaged the residents to assist the local fire brigade people.
“We also did controlled burning in the last few days.
“It was something I'll never forget.”
In addition to urging people to join CFA, Jesse said he was happy to receive the medal for his contributions.
“It’s quite humbling and also recognition of the little sacrifices we all made during that difficult time, because most of us have full-time work,” he said.
“I was nominated for the medal as I was part of the strike team for the 2019–20 bushfires in NSW.
Jesse joined the brigade in 2012 and has spent the last 11 years volunteering as a firefighter for the Vectis fire brigade.
“My spouse and the community appreciated my efforts and the work I did in NSW.
“I’m very happy working with CFA over the years and I encourage people to be part of it.”