CFA's highest honour: Brian Webber receives Outstanding Service Medal

Brian Webber, Glen Park receives CFA's highest honour

 

Brian Webber, ex-captain of Glen Park Fire Brigade began his CFA journey at age 15 in 1961 where he began turning out with his local brigade.

 

Little did Brian realise that one day he'd be recognised for his substantial contribution with CFA's highest honour - an Outstanding Service Medal. 

On Saturday 17 October 2026, Deputy Chief Officer Scott Turner presented Brian with an award he was surprised to receive but merited through his significant history with CFA.  

Brian embodies the spirit of CFA volunteerism and continues to demonstrate consistently the values of the authority, always wanting the best for the brigade and the broader Glen Park community. 

In 1997, Brian and his crew (including his wife Cheryl) were involved in a burn over following a significant local fire. The Glen Park tanker didn't have today's safety features, nor did the organisation have minimum training requirements to respond at the time. 

Brian's calm and decisive leadership under enormous pressure during this incident meant that although the tanker was lost - his crew all went home to their families and survived the entrapment.

During the months and years that followed, which included a two week inquiry, Brian became a passionate advocate for enhanced safety systems like protection sprays on vehicles and for minimum training for firefighters. In context, this occurred one year before the Linton incident in 1998 where a crew from Geelong West was lost. 

Safety was and continues to be at the forefront of his mind, especially now as Brian develops and mentors newer firefighters who are just beginning their CFA journey. The importance of a well practised entrapment drill is a priority for the brigade.

For Brian, volunteering has always been a family business. His wife Cheryl who joined in the 80s was one of the only operational females in the group at the time and paved the way for more to join. Glen Park's operational members are now one third female under Cheryl's example. 

Brian's daughter Tracey has just completed an impressive nine-year term as captain and is succeeded by Brian's son Lee who was recently elected. His daughter in law Linda (former captain of Kinglake) is first Lieutenant and a passionate community engagement leader. Brian's granddaughter Skye was also a junior at Ballarat Fire Brigade for a period of time as well.

During his own captaincy, Glen Park experienced challenges many brigades face at times with recruitment struggles and getting a tanker out the door during the day. Brian worked tirelessly to rebuild the brigade seeing it now as thriving and well functioning. 

Brian now gets to enjoy the fruits of his labour, seeing Glen Park provide an excellent service to the community, getting to share his knowledge and experience developing the next generation of CFA firefighters. 

Congratulations to Brian on this achievement. 

 

Submitted by	Chanel Gilbertson