Parramatta fire commander named in Australia Day Honours
Published: 26th January 2018
A fire officer’s 34-year commitment to protecting communities and leading firefighters at major emergencies across Sydney has been recognised in today’s Australia Day Honours.
Inspector Craig Easy of Hornsby has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM), the highest honour an Australian firefighter can receive.
Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Paul Baxter congratulated Inspector Easy, who is one of three FRNSW firefighters to be awarded the prestigious medal in today’s honours.
“In his role as a Duty Commander, Inspector Easy is often the first senior officer to attend significant fires, rescues and hazardous material incidents within his area of control,” he said.
“Firefighters depend on his skills and knowledge to implement strategies to ensure fires and other emergencies are brought under control as quickly as possible to protect people and property.”
Starting out as a firefighter with FRNSW in 1984, Inspector Easy has served in Sydney’s CBD, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Suburbs, Northern Beaches and most recently in Western Sydney.
As a Duty Commander at Parramatta, he is responsible for leading and managing 12 fire stations and a diverse workforce of approximately 80 permanent and retained firefighters dispersed over Parramatta and its surrounding suburbs.
“This is one of our busiest operational commands and Inspector Easy has demonstrated strategic vision and exceptional interpersonal skills in the role, establishing collaborative relationships with other emergency service agencies to ensure there is a coordinated and effective response to emergency incidents,” said Commissioner Baxter.
“He continually mentors other officers and firefighters under his command, leading by example with strong ethics, professionalism and an unparalleled commitment to protecting the community.”
Inspector Easy has also dedicated countless hours of his own time to research and ensure every firefighter who has made the ultimate sacrifice over the past 130 years has been identified and had their story told. These firefighters have been recognised on the FRNSW Honour Board and the National Firefighters Memorable in Canberra.
He will be presented with his AFSM at a ceremony later in the year.