IT’S time for your emergency services update for Port Stephens.

National Emergency Medal

Members from Karuah RFS, Anna Bay Rural Fire Brigade, Raymond Terrace Rural Fire Brigade were awarded a National Emergency Service Medal on Monday 14 March at Lower Hunter Fire Control, for services during 2019-2020 bush fires.

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These awards Deputy Commissioner Peter McKechie to people who rendered sustained or significant service during nationally-significant emergencies in Australia.

Congratulations on this recognition.

Soldiers Point Fireboat

This weekend saw six local members from the Soldiers Point Rural Fire Brigade begin the Fire Boat Crew course.

It’s an important qualification to help members man the Soldiers Point Fireboat.

Work includes both theory and practical components including boat work, rope work and the important swim test.

The crew were lucky enough to have some great weather, albeit a bit of a current did see the huddle drift away a bit.

Operation FUME

On Friday 11 and 12 March, as part of Statewide Operation FUME, targeting alcohol/drug/impaired driving, police from Raymond Terrace Highway Patrol and Port Stephens-Hunter PD Police targeted drivers in the Port Stephens-Hunter District.

As a result there were 390 Roadside Drug Tests (RDT) with seven positives, 421 Roadside Breath Tests (RBT) with two PCA’s, eighteen Traffic Infringement Notices and four charges.

Operation Rural Roads

On Wednesday 16 March Operation ‘Rural Roads’ was conducted in the Lemon Tree Passage Sector covering the suburbs of Lemon Tree Passage, Mallabula, Tanilba Bay, Oyster Cove, Salt Ash and Bobs Farm.

Officers attached to the Port Stephens Hunter Police District Outstations and four officers attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – Port Stephens were deployed to the operation with the aim of reducing road trauma in and around the above suburbs through high visibility, random drug and alcohol testing and community engagement.

During the operation Police conducted a total of 921 Random Breath Tests and ten Random Drug Tests.

A 30-year-old male was charged with drug related offences, Deal with the Proceeds of Crime and Drive whilst Licence Suspended.

A 37-year-old-male and a 35-year-old male returned positive results for random drug tests.

A 43-year-old male was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for driving disqualified.

A further fourteen drivers were issued with infringement notices for exceeding the speed limit, using a mobile phone whilst driving, not wearing a seatbelt and licence related offences.

Marine Rescue Certificates

Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage were honoured by the attendance of Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington MP at their monthly members meeting.

Ms Washington presented rating certificates to members Martin Schroor and Matt Clarke for Marine Rescue Boat Crew; and David Neale for Marine Rescue Radio Operations.

By Tara CAMPBELL