NSW Rural Fire Service members recognised in this year’s 4 May St Florian’s Day honours including recipients of the Commissioner’s Unit Citation for Service from Ungarie Rural Fire Brigade and Jerilderie Group Captain Andrew Browning, awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation for Service. Photo: NSW RFS.
When a caravan exploded beside a home in Ungarie last September, firefighters arriving on scene were confronted with a man suffering catastrophic injuries, a rapidly escalating fire and a desperate race to save his life.
This week, the actions of those firefighters have been formally recognised as part of the NSW Rural Fire Service’s 4 May St Florian’s Day honours, with members of the Ungarie Rural Fire Services (RFS) brigade awarded a Commissioner’s Unit Citation for Service.
The annual St Florian’s Day awards, named after the patron saint of firefighters, recognise outstanding service and dedication across the state’s emergency services.
Among those also honoured this year in the Riverina region was Jerilderie RFS Group Captain Andrew Browning, who received a Commissioner’s Commendation for Service recognising decades of leadership, training and commitment to the NSW RFS – including his role in the development of the Jerilderie/Argoon CAT6 prototype.
For the Ungarie Brigade, the citation stems from one of the district’s most confronting incidents in recent memory.
On 26 September 2025, an explosion ripped through a caravan parked beside a home in Caroon Street.
Bland Temora Group Captain Lindsay Henley was working nearby when he heard the blast and immediately ran to the scene.
He found the caravan engulfed in flames and a severely injured man lying nearby.
Responding crews from the Ungarie Brigade, alongside Deputy Group Captain Nathan Chantrill and NSW Police, worked under extreme pressure to keep the man alive while also preventing the fire from spreading to a nearby home less than two metres away.
Group Captain Henley moved the patient away from the burning caravan and helped keep him conscious, while captain Brad Crofts and brigade members established a hose line to provide clean water to cool the man’s severe burns.
Deputy Group Captain Chantrill later coordinated movements to the local showground to facilitate an aircraft transfer to John Hunter Hospital.
Despite the efforts of emergency crews and medical staff, the patient died while being transported to hospital.
The citation recognised the brigade’s professionalism and calm response during what was described as a tragic and complex incident.
Recipients of the award included Group Captain Lindsay Henley, Deputy Group Captain Nathan Chantrill, captain Brad Crofts, deputy captain Jason Lewis, firefighter Thomas Barron and firefighter Frank Brewer.
The Ungarie Brigade with NSW MLC Stephen Lawrence (left) and NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin (right). Photo: NSW RFS.
While the Ungarie award recognised actions taken in a matter of minutes during a life-threatening emergency, Jerilderie RFS Group Captain Browning was honoured for a lifetime of service to regional firefighting.
The longest-serving group captain and captain within the Jerilderie RFS district, Mr Browning has spent decades helping train volunteers and shape operational standards across the South Western Zone.
The commendation highlighted his role as a district and zone trainer, his involvement in countless courses and exercises, and his contribution to the design and development of the ultra-heavy fire tanker – the Jerilderie/Argoon CAT6 prototype – which was a volunteer-led effort to strengthen the firefighting capabilities of rural brigades.
He was also recognised for helping guide brigades through the amalgamation of the Murrumbidgee and Jerilderie districts and for more recent work assisting landholders and emergency services in managing fire risks linked to renewable energy developments.
Following the announcement, NSW RFS Mid Murray Zone congratulated Mr Browning, describing him as a, “highly respected trainer and leader” whose leadership had strengthened “confidence and capability within teams”.
“Andrew’s commitment, humility, and extensive local knowledge make him an outstanding leader and a truly worthy recipient of this honour,” they said.
The commendation itself described him as hardworking and humble, praising his exemplary leadership, fireground management and deep local knowledge.
