PUTTING those in need first has always come natural for Leeton Fire and Rescue Captain Graham Parks, who has been awarded a state honour.
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Last month Captain Parks was named as a finalist Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards.
On Saturday evening in Sydney, he took out the officer of the year category for NSW Fire and Rescue.
Captain Parks was honoured for his more than 30 years of service to the Leeton fire service, as well as his role as a peer support counsellor throughout the region, which is done on a voluntary basis.
It is not uncommon for him to be counselling 10 firefighters at a time.
“I definitely didn’t think I would win,” Captain Parks said.
“It did come as a bit of a shock … it’s very humbling.
“You certainly don’t do it for the recognition.
“I hadn’t put a lot of thought in to it.
“When you hear about all of the efforts of the others that were up for the award, you think ‘there’s no way it will be me’ (getting it).”
He said the good thing about the awards was the promotion of work done by peer support counsellors and the need for more resources.
As part of this, Rotary has committed to funding scholarships that will train more people in how to deal with post traumatic stress disorders.
Captain Parks said it was rewarding for him to be able to help people.
His information and counselling, which has focused on mental health, has gone beyond even the fire and rescue service.
Captain Parks provided counselling to the Jerilderie Rugby Club after one of their members died in a motor vehicle accident and to those at Leeton High School and other community groups following the death of Stephanie Scott.
His said mental illness was something not typically spoken about in emergency services “back in the day”, but was pleased more positive conversations were being had.
“There’s obviously things you see at critical incidents that you wish you hadn’t,” Captain Parks said.
“It’s getting through to (the firefighters) that their reaction to a distressing scene is human and normal.
“The biggest thing is still the stigma surrounding mental health.
“I do find it rewarding to be helping people (through the counselling).
“Fire and Rescue is spending a lot of money in this area now, which is good to see.
“The mental health of our people is just as important as anything else.”
Captain Parks was chosen for the state honour ahead of six others.
Awards were handed out across each of the emergency services categories.
