Queensland Corrective Services' Community Corrections officers in Mackay have been recognised for their ongoing commitment to community safety through the COVID-19 pandemic with the Emergency Response Medal with COVID-19 clasp.
The Mackay team were presented their medals as part of a statewide rollout of the award.
The Emergency Response Medal acknowledges the dedication and resilience of officers who respond to emergency situations during a significant event in Queensland.
The COVID-19 clasp recognises duties including direct response, maintaining core business or a combination of both during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic, Community Corrections officers successfully navigated the challenges and continued to prioritise community safety by adapting to remote and online ways of working that maintained engagement with individuals under their supervision.
The Emergency Response Medal is a round medallion in brushed copper ensigned with a central roundel of the Stage Badge of Queensland, which comprises the Crown of Saint Edward atop a Maltese Cross, topped with the words 'Emergency Response Medal'.
The ribbon is maroon in colour with red representing the health of the community, white representing hope for the future after the emergency and navy representing QCS.
Rollout of the medal will continue over the coming months with over 6,000 Queensland Corrective Services officers eligible for the award.
The rollout of the medal across the state is staggered, with the Northern and Far Northern regions the first to receive the award.
Quotes attributable to Corrections Minister, Nikki Boyd MP:
"The once-in-a-lifetime COVID pandemic claimed more than 7 million lives globally while severing international supply chains, leaving few communities unaffected.
"Queensland's world-class health response and the work of QCS officers kept out correctional facilities safe with not a single prisoner or staff fatality related to COVID-19.
"I want to thank the more than 6,000 Corrections Officers receiving the Emergency Response Medal and COVID-19 clasp for their amazing achievement, commitment and ability to adapt quickly to the pandemic's challenges.
"The diligence of Queensland's Corrections workforce saved lives."
Quotes attributable to Mr Paul Stewart APM, Commissioner, Queensland Corrective Services:
"The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented time for Queensland Corrective Services, presenting unique challenges and reshaping the way we work.
"I am incredibly proud of the way our Community Corrections officers continued the supervision of offenders in the community during this challenging time, as well as our Custodial officers who maintained the safety and security of correctional centres around the state.
"Unlike other countries, where correctional centres saw significant transmission and many associated deaths of officers and prisoners, QCS recorded no fatalities as a result of COVID-19. This is a remarkable achievement, and reflective of the commitment of all our officers.
"I thank every member of our agency who contributed to successfully navigating these unique challenges as we adapted to a new normal during the pandemic.
"This medal recognises the efforts and professionalism of everyone to ensure the safety of our officers, prisoners, offenders and visitors to our workplaces."
