Career firefighter recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours
Published: 9th June 2009
NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) Inspector Mark Reilly received the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours announced yesterday.
Inspector Reilly, who is currently based at City of Sydney Fire Station, 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 1983, Inspector Reilly had become a highly-respected leader in the NSWFB.
"Inspector Reilly has displayed outstanding professionalism throughout his 26-year career in the NSWFB.
"He has established a number of mentoring programs which have resulted in many of his staff being promoted to officer ranks and has played a key role in supporting firefighter health and fitness through sporting activities and as an office holder in the Fire Brigade Sports Council.
"He was also the Senior Officer's representative on the State Committee of the NSW Fire Brigade Employees' Union and is respected by both union officials and NSWFB senior management."
Commissioner Mullins said Inspector Reilly's operational expertise were well-recognised both nationally and internationally.
"Inspector Reilly was deployed to the United States to assist in commanding operations during the 2008 bushfires. He is the President of the Australian branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers and has been invited to present a paper on his experiences at the next international conference.
"He is a worthy recipient of this prestigious award and I thank him for his dedication and commitment to the NSWFB," Commissioner Mullins said.