Queens Service Medal
-Squadron Leader Shane Cole, NZCF
Squadron Leader Shane Cole - Firefighter.
SQNLDR Shane Cole of No 17 (City of Christchurch) ATC Squadron was recently awarded the Queens Service Medal in the 2008 Queens Birthday Honours List.
He has been a member of NZ Cadet Forces for over 23 years, initially as an ATC cadet before taking on the commissioned officer role in 1989. He has progressed through the NZCF ranks and is now the Cadet Unit Commander of No. 17 Sqn. Of course being an NZCF officer is a voluntary pursuit and he is also a veteran professional firefighter with the NZ Fire Service, where he is now a Station Officer with the Christchurch City Brigade.
This award is in recognition of the significant efforts made by SQNLDR Cole in support of his community, both in the Canterbury region and also nationally. His efforts have extended well beyond his exploits with NZCF. In addition to his normal employment duties as a Fire Service Officer, Station Officer Cole is also a Motor Vehicle Accident Instructor, training volunteer firefighters around the South Island. Further to that, SQNLDR Cole is a volunteer adult mentor with Project K, a youth life skills programme designed to improve self efficacy in teenagers and over recent years, Shane has supported nearly 170 Project K personnel.
SQNLDR Cole has also made a significant contribution to the Order of St John, by providing outstanding leadership training and logistical support to their Youth Development programme. In support of his nomination, he also received a resounding endorsement from the NZ Mountain Safety Council for the dedication, loyalty and commitment he has shown in support of NZMSC outdoor programmes and the training of members of the wider outdoors community.
His nomination was also supported by eight Members of Parliament, from four of the main political parties, including an endorsement from the Minister of Defence.
SQNLDR Cole commands the largest NZCF cadet unit in NZ. Under his command, No. 17 Sqn has won the Air League Trophy as the most efficient ATC Squadron in NZ, for five straight years over the period 2002 - 2006, a record never before achieved, which is testimony to SQNLDR Cole’s planning, leadership and management skills. Further, No 17 Sqn was last year awarded a CAF Unit Commendation, the first such CAF Unit Commendation ever awarded.