A Queensland firefighter who died after responding to a factory blaze has been remembered as “unwavering” in her dedication to the job as well as great fun to be around.
Izabella “Izzy” Nash, 46, died in hospital on the night of May 2 after her colleagues pulled her from a large factory fire at Slacks Creek, south of Brisbane, about 2am that morning.
Ms Nash was surrounded by family when she died in hospital after suffering critical injuries. A second firefighter, Lia Drew, was also rescued from the large blaze that crews eventually contained.
Hundreds of firefighters, friends and emergency service members along with Queensland’s political leaders gathered in Brisbane’s Nissan Arena on Monday for a memorial service for Ms Nash that followed a private funeral.
The ceiling was shaded red with coloured spotlights and a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services flag was draped high above the car park on a fire truck’s aerial pump crane.
QFES senior chaplain Derek Whitehouse said Ms Nash was “outstanding” as both a person and a firefighter.
“This memorial allows us to come together to honour a brave servant of the people of Queensland and to acknowledge an ordinary person who lived and extraordinary life,” he said.
Ms Nash’s partner Bec Weinert said she had been on many adventures with Ms Nash both overseas and in the outback where they were “nearly carried away by flies” but found peace in the unexplored isolation.
“Izz was an incredible human being, resembling a pillar of strength, she was the matriarch of her family, she was the confidante, the teacher, the mediator, the MacGyver,” Ms Weinert said.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli were among the members of parliament who attended the memorial and laid wreaths.
QFES Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing said Ms Nash was a role model for new recruits and always kept her uniform immaculate.
“Izzy certainly made a mark on this service … she has left an impression on us all and the positive impact she had on those who worked with her will be her legacy,” Mr Wassing said.
Ms Nash’s fire helmet and QFES memorial flag were presented to her family and Ms Weinert, and her name will be added to the honour roll at the National Emergency Services Memorial in Canberra.