Gail Schmidt, a volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service in Catherine Field was last night named 2026 first responder of the year in Macarthur.
Stephen Hammond, a retained firefighter at the Camden brigade of NSW Fire & Rescue for 22 years was named salaried first responder of the year.
Both are remarkable first responders who go the extra yard to help others and deserved their honours at the 2026 Rotary clubs of Macarthur first responders awards presented at Wests Leagues Leumeah.
Gail Schmidt is an advanced volunteer firefighter with the Rural Fire Service at Catherine Field and has been an active member for over eight years.
As well as attending bushfires, Ms Schmidt participates in training, operational exercises, and station maintenance to ensure brigade readiness.
She is, in other words, a leader.
“I have personally witnessed Gail take control during emergency incidents, providing critical first aid and calmly comforting children following traumatic events, helping to prevent shock and further injury until handover to NSW Paramedics,’’ wrote the person who nominated her for the awards.
“During one incident attended by both the RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW, Gail was asked to assist with a patient extracted from a structure fire.
“Without hesitation, she commenced life-saving CPR despite ongoing fire extension and hazardous conditions.’’
The 2026 salaried responder of the year, Stephen Hammond, responds to emergencies such as fires, car accidents, material spills and home visits for fire alarms.
As a retained firefighter he also attends training drills, and runs community safety education programs.
During the Green Wattle Creek fire in the summer of 2019 and 2020, Mr Hammond fought the fierce blazes along with his 248 crew.
Once the fire was under control, he continued to assist those affected by the fires by sourcing required items such as building materials, clothing, furniture and food for almost a year afterwards.
Mr Hammond is also co-founder of The Broken Path Charity, which supports frontline workers and their families impacted by mental health.
These brilliant awards, now in their fourth year, are an initiative of the eight Rotary clubs in Macarthur.
The 2026 category winners and highly commended were:
NSW AMBULANCE: winner Bianca Esther; highly commended Lachlan O’Neill.
NSW FIRE & RESCUE: Joint winners Andrew Evans and Stephen Hammond; highly commended Anthony Mosley.
NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE: winner Gail Schmidt (volunteer); highly commended Malcolm Alexander.
NSW SES: winner Jean Hammond; highly commended Richard Shoemark.
OVERALL WINNERS: Gail Schmidt – volunteer; Stephen Hammond – salaried.
