Jamberoo Rural Fire Service Captain Hannah McInnerney has been recognised as one of only four NSW RFS finalists in the 2025 Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards.

The Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA) recognise outstanding community service performed by both volunteer and paid members of NSW emergency service agencies.

They celebrate those who demonstrate Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self" through their dedication beyond normal duties.

McInnerney, who also serves as District Instructor and Assessor across the Illawarra Sutherland team, was selected from thousands of potential recipients across the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib announced the 28 RESCA finalists across seven emergency service categories on Wednesday 25 June at NSW Parliament House.

McInnerney joins three other RFS finalists, Deputy Group Captain Phil Hurst AFSM from Hawkesbury, Firefighter Kingsley Hunt from Murrumbateman, and Deputy Group Officer Sarah Mika from Uralla.

Other finalists in the Illawarra and South Coast region are Fire and Rescue NSW senior firefighter Peter Bugden in Nowra and Marine Rescue NSW Zone Duty Operations Manager Stuart Massey in Ulladulla.

However, McInnerney says the recognition belongs to her entire team, not just her as an individual.

“If I could change one thing, it would be to change the nomination from me to the brigade,” she said.

“Emergency services isn't a one-person game…It's all the people behind that do the work and do as much, in some cases do as much, but don't get recognition”.

The day of the Parliament House announcement demonstrated her commitment to service as she attended as many calls as she could.

Starting at 3am, McInnerney attended four emergency calls before travelling to Sydney for the awards ceremony, then returned to respond to another three or four calls that afternoon.

“I didn't want to leave,” she said. “I would have much preferred - if I had the opportunity, I would have said, I can't make it. I'm just going to help the guys out locally”.

Under McInnerney’s leadership, the Jamberoo RFS has transformed into what she describes as a “significantly diverse brigade that's on the map for gender equality across the services”. The brigade now spans from ages 16 to 85, including “students, lawyers, doctors, priests, you name it”.

Despite being selected as a RFS finalist from across the state, McInnerney maintains her humility.

“If you asked me, am I special, I'd say no. I'm no different to any other person that is in uniform or outside of uniform,” she said.

“I wouldn't ask someone to do something that I would never do…I try and blend in as much as I can and be one of them, be one of the team”.

She hopes her nomination helps to highlight diversity in emergency services recognition as well as put the Jamberoo brigade on the map.

“It's shone the light on the brigade and the brigade activities and achievements…it's highlighted the diversity and inclusion, and it promotes the emergency services,” McInnerney said.

The winners of the 2025 Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards will be announced at an awards dinner on 2 August.