It was presented with a Primary Employer Recognition Award by FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell as part of its St Florian’s Day ceremony at City of Sydney Fire Station on Saturday.
The family-owned and operated business, which started in 1951, includes service stations, Wired Entertainment and Caltex bulk fuel distribution throughout the southern Riverina region.
Managing director Neville Purtill, a son of original owner Keith Purtill, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
The Primary Employer Recognition Award acknowledges businesses who support on-call firefighters in protecting their local communities.
Employers provide flexibility to enable on-call firefighters to respond to incidents, join strike teams and make workplace accommodations.
Commissioner Fewtrell said the Purtill Group’s commitment to on-call firefighters and the broader community is to be applauded.
“We recognise that many of our on-call firefighters would not be able to respond to emergencies if it were not for the support of their primary employer,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
“Over the past 30 years, the Purtill Group has encouraged employees to join the brigade and enabled them to attend incidents, deployments and training as needed.
“The company has also continued to financially support employees whilst on duty for FRNSW as well as ensured their families were taken care of in their absence.
“These on-call firefighters have assisted during many of our state’s biggest natural disasters including the 2009 Black Saturday bush fires, 2019/20 Black Summer bush fires and flood recovery, often for extended periods of time.
“Purtill Group’s ongoing support enables our on-call firefighters to help protect the local community and assist those most in need.”
The local company is an integral part of Deniliquin and regularly donates to fundraising activities and loans its historic fire appliances to be displayed at FRNSW’s annual Open Day event.
Mr Purtill said he was deeply honoured and humbled to receive the award.
“Even though we don’t do it for the recognition, I am delighted that our long-standing support of on-call firefighters is appreciated and worthwhile,” Mr Purtill said.
“Purtill Group prides itself on its community-mindedness and I am pleased we can bolster another community-minded organisation such as Fire + Rescue New South Wales in our town.
“We proudly employ on-call firefighters because of their vital work in the community and it gives us great peace of mind knowing they are readily available to respond and assist during emergencies.”
7°C