A firefighter for 35 years – working as a retained, or on-call, firefighter with FRNSW and captain of Bellingen Fire Station, Mr Van Hoeck was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).

The AFSM is one of the highest honours an Australian firefighter can receive and captain Van Hoeck was one of just three FRNSW firefighters awarded the prestigious medal.

The Australia Day award was unexpected and welcome news to captain Van Hoeck who told the Courier-Sun it was a privilege to be acknowledged by the fire service and community.

“I’m very honoured to receive the award,” captain Van Hoeck said.

“It’s pretty special, not just for me, but for my family, especially my wife Christine who has been my back-stop and support over the many years.”

Captain Van Hoeck’s fire career began in 1980 not long before one of his most memorable call-outs: “Bellingen’s main street fire is one I won’t forget … the Hyde St fire took out five shops and came very close to taking out the whole block.”

However, it was when attending a fire at the Boggy Creek saw mill that he credits and thanks fellow firefighter “Lester Sheather as dragging me out and saving my life”.

And it’s this sense of mateship and bonding that captain Van Hoeck is a “huge reason” for staying in the fire service after more than three decades.

“The people I’ve worked with are very good people,” he said

“In this industry you work so closely with people, you become very protective of each other and you build up a lot of trust and respect for the people all around you. It’s the only way you can stay in this industry, because there’s many a Christmas and birthday missed on the family front”.

FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins congratulated Captain Van Hoeck on the well-deserved recognition.

“Captain Van Hoeck is highly respected by firefighters at Bellingen Fire Station and the surrounding areas, and by his colleagues in the other emergency services and the local community,”

Commissioner Mullins said.

“He has worked tirelessly within the community of Bellingen to reduce the number and severity of emergency incidents that impact on the residents. He has worked to forge strong ties between FRNSW and business owners, local government, schools and many community groups and is widely considered by many to be a community leader, role model and an outstanding citizen.

“Through his vast knowledge of the local area Andre is well recognised for his many initiatives, particularly during flood crisis events to ensure that Bellingen Fire Brigade can maintain a high level of service delivery to community. His initiatives have been responsible for greatly reducing property losses during many flood emergencies.”

Commissioner Mullins said Captain Van Hoeck is well known for his ethics and impeccable character and is recognised by senior management as someone who has the ability to take command of many and varied emergencies with the utmost professionalism.

“Captain Van Hoeck has served as a FRNSW firefighter with pride and distinction for 35 years and is a worthy recipient of this prestigious award.”

Captain Van Hoeck will be presented with his AFSM at a ceremony later in the year.