Southern Sydney SES volunteer Shannon Crofton has been named the first NSW Emergency Services Volunteer Officer of the Year.
The flood rescue officer was recognised at the inaugural Rotary NSW State Emergency Services Awards at Darling Harbour on Friday.
Mr Crofton won the NSW SES category before taking out the overall winner of the Rotary NSW Emergency Services Officer of the Year (in a volunteer capacity).
Since he started volunteering with the SES in 1989, Mr Crofton has become one of the world's leading experts on floods and flood rescue.
His citation stated that ‘‘his passion for preparedness and education has been integral to the development of flood rescue capabilities within the NSW SES and other emergency services’’.
He has studied the use of helicopters in flood rescue and is the only Australian to receive the prestigious Higgins and Langley Award for Outstanding Achievement in Flood and Swiftwater Rescue. He has received two bravery awards and is also a paid fireman at Hurstville.
He received a Churchill Fellowship in 2011.
Read more in Tuesday’s Leader.
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