TUMUT firefighter Jason O’Neill and Batlow firefighter Robert Christian who both raced into a burning home in a desperate rescue attempt to save three-year-old twin girls, have been awarded Bronze Bravery Medals by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley at Government House.
The two Fire and Rescue firefighters were presented with the awards for their bravery in entering the burning house in Batlow in 2020.
They got the girls out of the house but unfortunately they perished.
“We did what we had to do. It was just a tragic result so it was just unfortunate,” Mr O’Neill told reporters.
Mr Christian was unable to make the awards ceremony on the day.
“Robert did an outstanding job and without him we would not have found the girls. He pushed us to go harder,” Mr O’Neill said.
The two firefighters were presented with Individual Commendations for Courageous Action from NSW Fire and Rescue in May, and on this occasion Batlow Fire and Rescue 218 was presented with the Unit Commendation for Meritorious Service for the actions on that day.
Governor Beazley said the two men had, “gone above and beyond their call of duty. Above and beyond what they signed up for.”
The medal citation read: “Firefighters Jason O’Neill and Robert Christian entered a house that was 80 per cent alight with the roof collapsing and hose lines not functioning correctly. They were told twin children were in a bedroom, however the children could not be found. Firefighters O’Neill and Christian searched the lounge room and hallway which were fully encased by fire. Finding the children in another bedroom, they took them outside.”
Mr O’Neill, who at the time was what’s called a ‘dual responder’ working for both the Batlow and Tumut Fire and Rescue units, said it was the, “worst job we’ve ever attended”.
