Cuballing firefighter accepts Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award at the WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards

A volunteer Wheatbelt firefighter has received the State’s highest individual honour a bushfire service volunteer can receive for his unwavering bravery and exceptional contribution to community safety. Cuballing/Popanyinning Bush Fire Brigade captain Anthony “Morty” Mort accepted the Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award at Crown Perth on September 7. Mr Mort said he was “overwhelmed” and “blown away” by the award and felt inspired knowing his efforts were “making a difference”. “I’m very privileged to even be considered because in the volunteer world, there’s lots of people doing stuff and we all go above and beyond at times to do whatever is necessary,” he said. Speaking to the Observer, the firey had just returned from extinguishing a small bushfire on the edge of Popanyinning’s townsite after the wind picked up embers from a man’s small leaf fire and blew them into the nearby bushland. “It’s all about making people feel safer and helping them out, like today this poor bloke who just had an accident, we just drop everything and off we go,” Mr Mort said. “You feel proud saving someone’s property, their possessions, there’s been multiple fires where it could have gone drastically wrong, but no one got hurt. “I’d like to acknowledge all the volunteers throughout the region because we’re a team and without everyone helping my job would be a lot harder. “Everyone deserves a big pat on the back for their efforts.” At the WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards, Mr Mort was commended for training new volunteers, revitalising recruitment and evolving the brigade into a professional and cohesive unit. The Department of Emergency Services said Mr Mort was “instrumental in the provision of essential safety infrastructure including sheds, trucks and strategically placed emergency-use water tanks”. “His efforts to enhance collaboration between town and rural brigades and establish efficient systems for direct firefighting and mop-up operations have reduced volunteer fatigue and strengthened the partnership with DFES personnel. “Recently, his leadership has been crucial in navigating a series of challenging fires, suspected to be the result of arson.” Last summer, Cuballing and Narrogin were rocked by a series of fires believed to be deliberately lit, prompting the shires to appeal to their communities for information.