A KERANG ambulance community officer has been awarded the Ambulance Service Medal on Australia Day for his outstanding contribution to the development and provision of volunteerism in the community.

Steve Humphreys has worked tirelessly over the past 11 years, dedicating his time and energy to Ambulance Victoria and also to the State Emergency Service.

It is the exceptional role that Ambulance Community Officer Humphreys played during the Kerang train crash disaster in 2007 that highlights his career.

As one of the first two ambulance staff to arrive at the train crash site, teamed with Paramedic Neil Harrop, he did an extraordinary job in triaging and treating those at the scene under incredibly difficult circumstances.

His contribution proved to be of significant benefit to the community in providing emergency medical care.

Mr Humphreys said yesterday that he was "shocked" to receive the award.

"You don't go into it to receive medals," he said.

"We do what we have to do."

Last year he was awarded an Ambulance Victoria 10-year service medal and a 10-year safe driving medal.

He is one of four local community officers who work with two full-time paramedics at Kerang.