HD3 - Tony Waller OAM [Hot Debrief] - SLS Rescue Helicopter / Fire Rescue NSW

Hot Debrief Podcast

'Hot Debrief' Episode 3 - Superintendent (Ret) Tony Waller OAM - Fire Rescue NSW and Surf Lifesaving NSW.

Anthony (Tony) Waller OAM has been a Surf Lifesaver for 48 years starting in 1975, including 39 years as a rescue helicopter rescue swimmer and crewman and loves every day of it. In addition, just a few months ago, Tony hung up his helmet after 41 years in Fire Rescue NSW, retiring as a Superintendent following an impressive career. In recognition of this outstanding service to the NSW Community, Tony was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2021.

Named as a “Hero of the Surf” in 1994 after a run of dramatic rescues, Tony has pioneered developments in helicopter rescue operations specialising in aquatic rescue techniques. Tony talks us through is unwavering focus on training, training, training to ensure that no matter what situation presents itself you can be as prepared as possible to undertake whatever the task is and give those in need of rescue the best possible chance of survival.

Tony has dedicated over 30 years to the education of firefighters in both Rescue/ USAR and Officer Development, but it is within the sphere of Rescue and USAR that Tony’s distinguished service and influence shines. Commencing as a Primary Rescue Unit Trainer (PRUT) the early 1990’s, He promoted to Station Officer and became a Senior Rescue / USAR Instructor for 10 years delivering training to hundreds of firefighters across Australia.

Tony is a subject matter expert in many areas of technical rescue and has operational experience both Nationally and Internationally. His resume is both impressive and expansive:

• Team Leader: Taskforce AUS 3 Christchurch Earthquake (2011)

• Operations Officer: NSW Taskforce 1, Cyclone Debbie, Proserpine (2017)

• Base Manager: Northern Rivers Floods 500-person Camp (2017)

• Operations Officer: AUS 2 United Nations USAR Reclassification (2018)

• Reconnaissance Team Leader AUS 2 United Nations Classification (2013)

• Previous delegate on UN’s INSARAG Training Writing Team.

• Instructor: INSARAG Asia Pacific Regional Earthquake Response Exercise (Malaysia 2013, Nepal 2009)

• Instructor: USAR Coordination Cell Training Course Thai Govt. Agencies. (Mar 2019)

• Lead Coordinator: INSARAG Earthquake Response Exercise Chiang Mai Thailand (Dec 2019)

Tony was also instrumental in the development and delivery of the first Swiftwater rescue training courses run by FRNSW in the early 2000’s and was personally responsible for training numerous firefighters to technician level. Tony was sent to Las Angeles County Fire Department by FRNSW Commissioner Ian McDougal as a recipient of a Firefighter development program in 1998.

Tony was also heavily involved in competing in Road Crash Rescue contests both Nationally and Internationally. He was a member of the Burwood team that was twice World Champions and also won the World Best Medic Trophy in 1999, 2000, and 2002 and rewrote the manner in which patients of motor vehicle accidents were treated and extricated by medics. The process taught today to our FF’s was developed by Tony.

So standby for a fantastic chat with a true rescue hero of our community.

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