Jeffcott Fire Brigade Captain Bradley Burke has received the  Chief Officer’s Commendation for Courage  after risking his life to rescue a truck driver from a burning vehicle, in late 2023.

Whilst driving through Jeffcott, Captain Burke saw a semi-trailer carrying grain crash into trees, Mr Burke ran toward the wreckage, calling his brother, also in the CFA, and alerted him to the incident.

Mr Burke battled to get to the driver, tearing away the bonnet, smashing glass and climbing onto the engine bay.
As he worked to free the driver, fire ignited in the rear of the cabin and spread quickly.

"You don’t think, you just do it. The priority was getting him out and making sure no one else was inside".

Despite sustaining lacerations Captain Burke  pulled the driver to safety through the broken windscreen “

Fire crews arrived quickly to stop the spread of the fire and the driver was taken into the care of the paramedics and has since made a full recovery.
CFA District 18 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Gavin Wright praised Captain Burke’s actions. “He acted with incredible bravery under extreme pressure. His quick thinking and determination saved a life that day, and his actions are truly worthy of this recognition.”
After receiving his award at Donald Fire Station last week, Captain Burke insisted he was just doing his job.

Captain Burke is now one of just 19 recipients of the Chief Officer’s Commendation for Courage since its introduction in 2012.