Broome Marine Rescue commander Krisma May wins Individual Achievement Award at WAFES awards

The dedicated commander of Marine Rescue Broome has been recognised for her tireless efforts during the unprecedented Kimberley floods earlier this year receiving a prestigious emergency service award. Marine Rescue Broome commander Krisma May received the Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award at the WA Fire and Emergency Services awards held in at Crown Perth on Saturday, September 9. Having been nominated for the same award last year, the 11-year Marine Rescue veteran said she was still pinching herself over the win. “I’m absolutely extremely proud of this win,” Ms May said. “Being in the commander’s role has its challenges but it’s just an incredible honour to take this home but it’s also taking it home for the team. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the team so this award is for them not only for myself.” During the once-in-a-hundred year floods, Ms May conducted welfare checks with residents in remote communities and arranged transport and accommodation for emergency services personnel. “Firstly, we were doing wellness checks on impacted communities. We were calling communities and we were pretty much the first people that they had spoken to. I think it gave people a sense of relief just to have someone to talk to,” she said. “Then I was asked to step into the logistics role so I was co-ordinating people, getting to the airport on time, getting them picked up on time and getting them back to the hotel so they could wash the mud and get fed.” Ms May was also recognised for fostering a female-friendly environment with an all-female-led team. “The commander, the deputy commander, the treasurer, the secretary, and the training officer are all females,” she said. “It’s the first time for Marine Rescue Broome and possibly for the state to have an all-female executive. It’s pretty awesome.” Ms May was also the face of the last two Marine Rescue Broome recruitment campaigns with her approach being so successful that the group has had to stop taking applications. Congratulating the honoured volunteers, Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM said Marine Rescue groups had a challenging role, with more than 10,000km of coastline to cover in WA. “WA’s 39 Marine Rescue groups cover the State from Kununurra to Esperance,” he said. “Last financial year, Marine Rescue volunteers generously gave their own time to help at 1755 incidents. “This year’s winners have displayed leadership, devotion and empathy and deserve recognition for the difference they’ve made across the State. “I congratulate our award winners and extend my thanks to all Marine Rescue volunteers, who are at the forefront of our response to emergencies at sea.”