Prestigious award for supporting vulnerable people

 

Congratulations to CFA staff member Angela Cook who has won the Emergency Services Foundation Diversity and Inclusion Champion 2026 Award for her work on the People at Higher Risk (PAHR) project.

 

Angela received the award yesterday (5 March) at the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) International Women's Day event.

The winner of this award is recognised for making a significant impact to advance diversity and inclusion. They are a shining example of, and role model for, gender diversity and inclusion.  

“It's an honour to receive this award and is recognition of the work my team does to improve disability inclusive fire preparedness and planning,” Angela said. 

“People with a disability manage every day to overcome inaccessible environments and overcome barriers. These are strengths that people with a disability bring to emergency preparedness. Harnessing these strengths and building on them to create workable emergency plans is critical. 

"This is why CFA lead the development of the Emergency Planning Advice Service (EPAS), a pilot program that has proven to make a difference.”

"This is yet again another wonderful achievement by Angela and an outstanding acknowledgement of the many years of hard work and effort across our programs and particular focus supporting people at higher risk,'" Team Leader Community Engagement & Program Development Paul Harris said.

"The external acknowledgement we receive — and more importantly the change we create in communities through PAHR — only happens because of the hard work and commitment of many people dedicated to our vision." 

ESF's annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards recognise initiatives that promote equity, gender diversity, and inclusion across the 12 member emergency services agencies, and celebrate best practice in fostering safe, inclusive and diverse workplaces.

 

Submitted by	News and Media