Joel, who is currently on his second deployment in Sierra Leone working as a nurse in an Ebola treatment centre, received the commendation as part of the Australian Bravery Decorations, announced on Monday, March 30.

The commendation states that on the morning of October 28, 2009, Joel attempted to assist UN personnel following an attack by Taliban militants in Kabul, Afghanistan.

In an attempt to disrupt Afghan presidential elections, Taliban suicide bombers stormed the Bakhar Guesthouse, killing 12 people including six UN employees.

Joel and another colleague arrived at the site soon after the attack commenced and were forced to take cover from gunfire before being held at gunpoint by a nervous Afghan soldier.

Once entering the guesthouse and with gunfire still present, Joel and his colleague secured and protected the bodies of their UN colleagues until police arrived and ended the attack.

After the attack Joel and his colleague discovered that another UN worker's body had been taken to a military hospital.

They located the victim and drove the body through the city in an unprotected vehicle to a safe location.

Joel said that while he felt honoured and proud to receive the award, he does feel sad for the reason of the award and undeserving as he was "just doing my job."

"I'm relieved that there weren't more people killed, and proud of the team I had the privilege to lead," Joel said in an email sent from Sierra Leone.

"The upshot was that my deputy and I went into the firefight along with the Afghan National Police in the hope of finding our missing UN colleagues alive.

"When we found them dead and given the situation was still far from stable, we secured their bodies and prevented them from being removed from the scene or damaged by over-zealous locals while the fight was concluded."

Joel rejected suggestions he was brave or a hero.

"I am just someone doing their job, albeit in a strange environment," he said.

"The importance of looking after the team and getting everyone possible home to their families safely is just part of it."

Joel, who is an active member of the Diamond Beach Rural Fire Service and Black Head Life Saving Club, downplayed his and his colleague's acts of bravery.

"It was a hairy sort of day but we had both had military training and had seen similar things before," he said.

"I am just sorry we could not save their lives."

Joel, who left for his second stint in Sierra Leone in early March, said that his training in the army and other organisations meant he was able to minimise feelings of fear.

"Bravery is being scared of something but doing it anyway," he said.

"Any time I step into harm's way as part of my work I am frightened that I won't manage to do what I need to do, so far I have got away with it though."

Read about Joel's work with Ebola victims here.