Road rescue team honoured

MEMBERS of the Pakenham Road Accident Rescue Team, comprising the Pakenham SES and Nar Nar Goon CFA, have been commended for providing road rescue services to a large part of the Cardinia Shire.
Cardinia Police Inspector Chris Notman presented a certificate to the two volunteer crews to recognise the exemplary service they provide across the area.
“The efforts of the Pakenham Road Accident Rescue Team are outstanding,” Inspector Notman said.
“Not only do these volunteers respond to emergencies at the drop of a hat, they regularly work in an unpleasant environment and do a tremendous job.
For the months of November and December 2006, the Pakenham Road Accident Rescue Team attended 20 motor vehicle collisions. The collisions occurred in various areas across the shire.
Five of these collisions resulted in fatalities, two of which occurred in the early hours of Christmas Day.
Nar Nar Goon CFA captain Phillip Craig said such tragic events not only affected the families of those involved but also other motorists passing by and particularly the emergency service workers.
Pakenham SES controller Andrew Graham said it was nice to be recognised for such a difficult job but that he “would also like to see the amount of collisions on our roads significantly reduced”.