Firefighters awarded for bravery battling the 2019 fires at Balmoral Village

"In almost 20 years as a firefighter, I've never seen a fire that intense before," he said.

On May 4, 2021 Ryan Clarkstone from Wilton Brigade, Southern Highlands received the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery as part of the annual RFS St Florian's Day awards.

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Ryan received the award for his actions in Balmoral Village on December 21, 2019. Fellow firefighter Dean Symons of Illawong Brigade, Sutherland was also awarded the Commendation for Bravery.

Ryan said it was nice to be recognised but stressed, "a lot of people experienced a lot of things and did a lot of good in the fire season that year."

That day, Ryan and Dean set out to undertake reconnaissance duties to control the Green Wattle Creek fire at Balmoral Village.

"It was close to the height of the season, we knew that day was going to be particularly nasty," Ryan said.

"The day started off fairly benign, as the afternoon went on it deteriorated.

"Balmoral was being heavily impacted - pretty much everything was on fire."

While travelling up Wilson drive, the pair found a possum on the middle of the road. Ryan said both sides of the road were on fire and the possum "ran straight into Dean's arms".

"Rescuing the possum was part of the adventure that day."

The possum was brought to Balmoral Village Brigade Station were RFS crews had set up a shelter.

"The fire station was full of residents with their pets and animals seeking refuge," Ryan said.

The firefighters soon received radio reports of people trapped in homes on Station street.

Upon arrival, they located a family sheltering in a car.

Ryan said their house was alight and the car had begun to catch fire and melt.

"We jumped out and made sure they were okay."

Ryan and Dean escorted the family end of the street with visibility hampered by fire and smoke. They were then directed to the fire station.

With visibility near zero and no access to breathing equipment, the firefighters forced entry through the front door of 5 Station street. They conducted an internal search and soon located a man who was trapped in the house. With the upper section of the property alight and the eves on fire, the firefighters managed to get the man to safety.

Ryan said the size and impact of the fire had stuck with him.

"The scale of what everyone was facing [has stayed with me], there was a lot of fire everywhere," he said.

"We were trying to make the best use of resources - there was more work to do than resources available."

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