Tanker honour for Flo

Former Erica and District Fire Brigade captain Flo Swan has been awarded one of the CFA's highest honours, a life membership medal recognising his four-decade contribution to the organisation and his community.
Flo was awarded the prestigious medal in front of about 60 people including CFA staff and volunteers from across the region last Sunday.
Laurence 'Flo' Swan joined the CFA on February 25, 1980 when he registered as an active firefighter with the Erica and District Fire Brigade.
His leadership potential was recognised almost instantly and within two years, he was elected as captain of the brigade.
In April 1988, he joined the Tarnagulla Fire Brigade, 50 kilometres west of Bendigo, and served there until the brigade folded in 1993.
After a short break from the CFA, he re-joined the Erica and District brigade in June 1997 where he was elected second lieutenant.
He took another break from the CFA between 2001 and 2002, and returned in March 2003.
From June 2008 until July 10, 2022, Flo was the brigade's captain, making him the brigade's longest-serving captain.
In April 2022, Flo was presented with a 30-year CFA service medal at the brigade's 75th celebrations.
Outside of his captaincy, Flo also held several positions during his operational tenure with the brigade, including group delegate as well as OH&S and training officer.
He was elected the Baw Baw group's sixth deputy group officer in September 2017, holding the fuel management portfolio, and held this position until July 2022.
Flo's stoic nature around the brigade and on the fire ground — along with his calming, quick-thinking, fearless and decisive leadership style — has held the brigade and its community in good stead during times of adversity.
As captain, his leadership style was always firm but respectful and his focus has always been on what's best for the brigade and the broader community.
Despite undergoing a total laryngectomy a few years ago - resulting in Flo losing his voice - he mastered the ability of digital speech aid device and was determined to not let that affect his leadership of the brigade.
As a mark of respect, the Erica and District Fire Brigade has officially named its tanker one 'Flo' which is written across both front doors.
From now on, it will be known as Flo's Truck around the brigade.
Flo remains a member of the brigade as does his partner, Julie Tairua, who also has been an integral individual and serves as our treasurer.