Already this summer reminds us of how dangerous emergency service work can be.  Australian Emergency Law recognises and honours the sacrifice made by so many so early in the season – two NSW RFS firefighters – a volunteer firefighter who died after being struck by a falling tree near Walgett yesterday, and Senior Deputy Captain John Holmes who died while fighting a blaze at Bean Creek near Kyogle on October 14; and the three aircrew who died while engaged in fire surveillance in remote north-west Queensland, on 4 November.  I also pay my respects to Western Australia paramedic Tinesh Tamilkodi who died on Tuesday whilst proceeding to an emergency call.  

Their sacrifice and the loss to their families gives us all reason to pause and reflect on the work done by so many to protect our communities and to respond to other people’s emergencies and to thank everyone involved for their service.