* CSU Port Macquarie Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) 2nd year student received a prestigious Rural Fire Service Award. * Brigade unit awarded a Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation in recognition of outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties. A Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2nd year Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) student Ms Karma Reeves has received a Rural Fire Service award as part of a team that rescued a trapped man last year.On Tuesday 7 February 2017 the Pacific Palms Rural Fire Service (RFS) were the first to arrive on the scene where a man was trapped under a small excavator, which had overturned in a shallow dam at Charlotte Bay on the NSW Mid North Coast.The man was pinned by the machine, and managed to keep his mouth and nose above the water. He’d been trapped for several hours and was struggling to maintain his position.The crew were unable to extract the victim so instead set up pumps to try and reduce the dam water level to provide relief for the victim and support the rescue effort.The NSW Fire and Rescue units from Forster arrived and worked closely with the RFS to rescue the victim.Ms Reeves said given the muddy base of the dam and the awkward position of the victim it took 40 minutes to rescue the victim.“It was a great honour to receive the award with my fellow crew members. It was a difficult and challenging rescue, but seeing everyone work together and having a successful rescue was great,” Ms Reeves said.Ms Reeves has been an RFS volunteer for the past two years.“I love being involved in the community and it’s a great experience and exposure for my studies to become a paramedic,” Ms Reeves said.The Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation (Unit) is an award that recognises outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties.The Certificate of Commendation was awarded to the unit last week for service beyond the scope and responsibility normally expected of a unit in their assigned duties.