Newport fire officer named in Queen's birthday honours list
Published: 14th June 2011
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Greg Mullins today congratulated Newport resident, Chief Superintendent Rick Griffiths, on being named in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.As the Assistant Director of Education and Training, Chief Superintendent Griffiths has statewide responsibility for the professional development of a workforce of more than 7,000 fire and rescue officers and support staff.
Commissioner Mullins said Chief Superintendent Griffiths has served the community with dedication and distinction for nearly 35 years.
“Chief Superintendent Griffiths is recognised both nationally and internationally in the fire and rescue community as a leader and innovator, and is very highly respected,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“He has served in a wide variety of operational and specialist positions. Over the last decade he has earned a reputation nationally and internationally as an authority in the area of workforce capability development across the spectrum of technical skills, command, leadership, and management.
“In particular, he has championed the adoption and implementation of e-learning, and the recognition and articulation of fire service development courses into post-graduate qualifications.
“More recently, as a Visiting Fellow at the Australian Institute of Police Management, Chief Superintendent Griffiths developed and helped implement a leadership framework for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.”
Chief Superintendent Griffiths was one of only three FRNSW recipients of the prestigious Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM). He was appointed to the NSW Fire Brigades, now FRNSW, in July 1976.
“Chief Superintendent Griffiths is a highly qualified manager and a highly competent commander in emergency situations such as the 2003 Canberra bushfire disaster where he led our firefighting contingent,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“None of our firefighters perform these roles for public recognition but the contribution they make to protecting our community deserves our gratitude.”