A firefighter’s 29-year commitment to protecting people and mentoring firefighters in the Kelso area has been recognised in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
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Deputy Captain Shane Kearney has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM), the highest honour an Australian firefighter can receive.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Paul Baxter congratulated Deputy Captain Kearney, who is one of four FRNSW firefighters to receive the prestigious medal.
“Deputy Captain Kearney has played an integral role in transforming Kelso Fire Station into a modern-day emergency service, leading our response to building fires, bushfires, hazardous material incidents, road accidents and medical emergencies,” Commissioner Baxter said.
“He has continually gone above and beyond the call of duty, dropping everything to respond 24 hours a day when a home is threatened by fire or an accident occurs on the road at night.”
Joining FRNSW as a retained firefighter in 1989, Deputy Captain Kearney was promoted to his current leadership position in 2009.
“He has helped recruit, develop and lead the firefighters attached to Kelso Fire Station and dedicated countless hours to educating the local community about fire safety,” Commissioner Baxter said.
Deputy Captain Kearney has also been actively involved with the firefighter championships over many years and provided mentoring to many retained firefighters who participate at these events.
Commissioner Baxter said Deputy Captain Kearney had displayed distinguished service in his nearly 30 years as a firefighter and was a deserving recipient of the Queen’s Birthday Honour.
He will be presented with his AFSM at a ceremony at Government House in Sydney later this year.