THE MidCoast community will come together to celebrate Australia Day in just over a week and who better to lead the way than our Australia Day Ambassador, Superintendent Kam Baker AFSM.

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Kam’s leadership has been tested over recent months as he drove the firefighting efforts across the MidCoast and beyond but in his true style he has met every obstacle, coordinated with understanding and tact and lead with compassion, care and tenacity.

MidCoast Council is honoured to have him as ambassador for 2020 as he takes time out from his ongoing efforts to fight the bushfires, to represent his community.

“I cannot think of a more deserving, more fitting Australia Day Ambassador for the MidCoast region,” said Mayor David West.

“Kam is a prime example of a true Aussie hero and I know he will accept this accolade on behalf of his entire team and the many volunteers who continue to work tirelessly throughout this bushfire crisis.”

It’s been a stressful and difficult time for everyone at the RFS and Kam has been busy driving the local effort as Incident Controller at the control centre since August 2019.

Supt. Baker joined the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) as a volunteer member of the Patonga Beach Brigade of the Gosford District in 1979 and worked through the ranks to Group Officer.

He then qualified as a telecommunication technical officer and became a salaried officer in the NSWRFS in 1993, taking on the Fire Control Officer role for the Gloucester Shire Council.

Following the council amalgamation, Kam was promoted to the role of District Manager for the MidCoast Rural Fire District that includes Port Macquarie Hastings, MidCoast and Lord Howe Island.

Supt. Baker is a highly respected and decorated officer of the NSWRFS, specialising in incident command and aerial firefighting operations.

He has been deployed nationally and internationally to assist in numerous firefighting efforts, including leading a full Incident Management Team into Alberta Canada in 2015 to combat fires within the Province.

He was awarded the National Medal for Service in 1999, Canberra Emergency Medal in 2003, and the Australian Fire Service Medal in 2007, before being awarded District Manager of the Year in 2016 by the Assistant Commissioner of the NSWRFS.

He is a highly respected leader, passionate about protecting and preserving communities, habitat and wildlife and supporting his incredible army of volunteers.

Join Kam at the inaugural region-wide Australia Day civic ceremony, happening alongside the Saltwater Freshwater Festival at Forster Sporting Complex on 26 January from 8.30am.