BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE
A Hunter firefighter who lost his own home in a fierce bushfire has been recognised for his heroic efforts at a ceremony at Mayfield West Fire Station.
Steve Cox, a Senior Firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW, was battling blazes at Kurri Kurri on October 16 when he received a call from neighbours saying his house at Givan, near Stroud, was ablaze.
The 60-year-old raced home as his wife, Lyne, gathered their dogs in the car and drove through flames to escape.
The intensity of the blaze meant Steve and Lyne's home was destroyed, along with the dozen Holden cars Steve had spent years restoring.
More than 700 hectares of bushland was scorched in the Girvan bushfire on October 16 and 17, 2023.
Despite the devastation of losing his home, Steve joined a local Rural Fire Service crew and helped to save three neighbouring properties from the bushfire.
Alongside his mother and wife, Steve was presented with replacement medals by Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, recognising his heroism and broader 33-year career as a firefighter.
"Steve is the epitome of a selfless firefighter," Commissioner Fewtrell said.
"To disregard the destruction of everything you own to help others takes a special kind of person.
"We are very proud of Steve's courage and dedication to duty," he said.
Colleagues said replacing Steve's medals was the least they could do to help, as Steve focuses on rebuilding his home in the new year.
"I'm very proud to receive this gesture," Steve said.
"We'll go on to rebuild our lives but I never thought I'd see the likes of my fire medals again."
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| Well deserved: Senior Firefighter Steve Cox shakes hands with the FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell. |
