Icepak firefighter angry over bosses' medals

(L to R) Peter Hallett, Roy Breeze, Owen Kinsella, Martin Berryman and Gary Talbot were the five recognised in the Honours List. Photo / Sarah Ivey

One of the firefighters injured in the Tamahere Icepak explosion in 2008 is angry that his bosses have been recognised with Queen's Service Medals, but not the men who risked their lives.

The medals were announced in the New Year's honours list on Thursday. They were given to Waikato fire manager Roy Breeze, Waikato fire deputy manager Martin Berryman, Eastern fire manager Gary Talbot, Hamilton senior firefighter Peter Hallett and Waikato-Bay of Plenty area manager Owen Kinsella.

None of the firefighters injured in the tragedy were recognised in the honours list, although there are suggestions they might be in the future, the Waikato Times reported.

One of the seven firefighters caught out in the fireball which killed colleague Derek Lovell said he was angry after reading news of the medals. He did not want to be named for fear of being "singled out" by the Fire Service.

"How is it that the guys that sit in their office all day get recognised when the people who were killed or injured get nothing - no recognition at all?"

The injured firefighter said he was speaking with one of the men during the week and he had not "had the gall" to let him know about the upcoming New Year's honour.

The firefighter had issues with the medals being awarded for "acts of bravery" which he said was a "load of rubbish".

"Whether we get recognised or not is irrelevent, but I don't think any one of those people could give you an act of bravery that they performed that day."

Another firefighter caught up in the explosion agreed with most of his colleague's comments, but said he did believe Mr Berryman and Mr Talbot were worthy of recognition for their follow-up care in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The other awards did annoy him, he said.

The firefighter felt others were more worthy of awards, including bystanders who helped at the scene.

Mr Breeze said that when he and his colleagues were nominated for the medals, they were assured the injured firefighters would be acknowledged.

- NZPA