Career firefighter recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours
Published: 9th June 2009
NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) Inspector John McDonough received the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours announced yesterday.
Inspector McDonough, who is currently the Manager of the NSWFB's Fire Suppression Training Section, was one of five NSWFB officers awarded the AFSM yesterday, one of the highest honours an Australian firefighter can receive.
NSWFB Commissioner Greg Mullins said that since joining the NSWFB in 1987, Inspector McDonough had become a highly-respected leader in the NSWFB.
"Inspector McDonough has displayed outstanding professionalism and innovation throughout his 22-year career in the NSWFB.
"After studying compartment fire attack techniques in Sweden and the United Kingdom, Inspector McDonough established the NSWFB's Fire Suppression Training section which now trains firefighters from across Australian in safer fire fighting techniques.
"Inspector McDonough is also recognised as an expert in the field of urban search and rescue and has presented at several international conferences including Indianapolis in 2003 and Sweden in 2008."
Commissioner Mullins said Inspector McDonough's expertise also extended to the area of community safety, playing a major role in establishing the NSWFB's RescueED program.
"The RescueED program teaches teenagers the importance of safe driving and the consequences of accidents and speeding. During the inception of this important program, Inspector McDonough conducted numerous face to face training sessions with students around NSW.
"He is a worthy recipient of this prestigious award and I thank him for his dedication and commitment to the NSWFB," Commissioner Mullins said.