GEOFF HASTIE RECEIVES AWARD
(Left to right) Superintendent Kevin Walsh presents Geoff Hastie with his Diligent And Ethical Service Medal (QFRS)
Fire Service Award
On Friday, 15 February 2008, retired Fire Brigade Station Officer Geoff Hastie, resident of Dayboro, was presented with the Diligent And Ethical Service Medal (QFRS) by Superintendent Kevin Walsh of North West Command, Petrie Area Office during a ceremony at Petrie Fire Station. This medal was awarded to Mr Hastie for 33 years of diligent and ethical service during his employment by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service as an officer and firefighter.
Mr Hastie joined what was then known as the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Brisbane, on 3rd February 1969. Throughout his career, he was known as "The Gentle Giant". A more-respected, hard-working, reliable and honest firefighter you will never find. As a mentor, he was second to none – I can personally vouch for that as he saved my rear end from being burnt on a number of occasions when I was a junior firefighter. After completing his examinations, Geoff was promoted to the rank of Station Officer in 1979 and retired from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (as it is known today) on 6th December 2002, after nearly 33 years of service.
Just one short story about the man:
Geoff was very seriously injured at a high-set house fire at Redcliffe on 13th June 1989. He was the officer-in-charge of Sandgate Fire Station that night, and he and his crew were turned out to assist the Redcliffe crew at the fire. On his arrival on the fireground, Geoff sought to contact the officer-in-charge of the Redcliffe crew, who was actively engaged in damping-down the fire. Unfortunately, as he passed below a set of glass louvres on the upper level, the water jet from the hose accidentally hit the louvres, shattering them and showering the unsuspecting crew below. As Geoff looked up, a piece of glass (several) hit the left side of his neck, severing arteries, tendons and nerves. It was only the quick action of one of his crew members, who tore clothing from his own body, placed it over the gaping wound and applied pressure, that saved Geoff’s life. An ambulance normally stands-by at a serious structural fire until they are given the ‘all clear’ to return to their station (which was the case that night), but it was after the ambulance had departed that the accident occurred. Geoff was bundled into the back seat of a Police car which transported him to Redcliffe Hospital under lights and siren. It took many months for him to recuperate (he was hospitalised for over six months) but, due to the nature of his wounds, he was unable to gain sufficient movement in his left arm to return to active firefighting duties. The QFRS was not about to turn its back on an officer whose firefighting skills and knowledge were so great, so they offered him a position in the QFRS Academy at Lytton, training new recruits. His affable nature made it very easy for him to impart his knowledge and skills to the new probationary firefighters – most of whom credit Geoff with the high pass marks they gained in their final exams.
Mr Hastie joined what was then known as the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Brisbane, on 3rd February 1969. Throughout his career, he was known as "The Gentle Giant". A more-respected, hard-working, reliable and honest firefighter you will never find. As a mentor, he was second to none – I can personally vouch for that as he saved my rear end from being burnt on a number of occasions when I was a junior firefighter. After completing his examinations, Geoff was promoted to the rank of Station Officer in 1979 and retired from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (as it is known today) on 6th December 2002, after nearly 33 years of service.
Just one short story about the man:
Geoff was very seriously injured at a high-set house fire at Redcliffe on 13th June 1989. He was the officer-in-charge of Sandgate Fire Station that night, and he and his crew were turned out to assist the Redcliffe crew at the fire. On his arrival on the fireground, Geoff sought to contact the officer-in-charge of the Redcliffe crew, who was actively engaged in damping-down the fire. Unfortunately, as he passed below a set of glass louvres on the upper level, the water jet from the hose accidentally hit the louvres, shattering them and showering the unsuspecting crew below. As Geoff looked up, a piece of glass (several) hit the left side of his neck, severing arteries, tendons and nerves. It was only the quick action of one of his crew members, who tore clothing from his own body, placed it over the gaping wound and applied pressure, that saved Geoff’s life. An ambulance normally stands-by at a serious structural fire until they are given the ‘all clear’ to return to their station (which was the case that night), but it was after the ambulance had departed that the accident occurred. Geoff was bundled into the back seat of a Police car which transported him to Redcliffe Hospital under lights and siren. It took many months for him to recuperate (he was hospitalised for over six months) but, due to the nature of his wounds, he was unable to gain sufficient movement in his left arm to return to active firefighting duties. The QFRS was not about to turn its back on an officer whose firefighting skills and knowledge were so great, so they offered him a position in the QFRS Academy at Lytton, training new recruits. His affable nature made it very easy for him to impart his knowledge and skills to the new probationary firefighters – most of whom credit Geoff with the high pass marks they gained in their final exams.
