Casula firefighter recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
Published: 10th June 2019
A Casula fire officer’s 34-year commitment to protecting people and supporting the careers of indigenous firefighters has been recognised in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Chief Superintendent Phil Lindsay 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 Chief Superintendent Lindsay, who is one of four FRNSW firefighters to be awarded the prestigious medal in today’s honours.
“Chief Superintendent Lindsay has demonstrated the highest commitment to the safety and wellbeing of his fellow firefighters and, through this, has achieved many important cultural improvements,” said Commissioner Baxter.
Starting out as a firefighter with FRNSW in 1985, Chief Superintendent Lindsay made a vital contribution to community safety in the south-western region of Sydney where he served first as a Duty Commander and then as a Zone Commander for five years.
In these leadership roles, he ensured the fire stations in his command maintained a high standard of operational readiness and effectiveness.
Since 2017, Chief Superintendent Lindsay has been responsible for FRNSW’s Operational Communications team and has overseen significant culture improvements through greater engagement with staff and a strong focus on their safety and wellbeing.
Chief Superintendent Lindsay has also been a driving force behind the creation and development of the Indigenous Fire and Rescue Employment Strategy (IFARES).
This innovative strategy is designed to provide a pathway for indigenous men and women to join FRNSW as firefighters by supporting, developing and increasing their confidence.
“Thanks to Chief Superintendent Lindsay’s leadership, the IFARES program has increased the number of indigenous firefighters in NSW and helped foster a wider appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture within our organisation,” said Commissioner Baxter.
“Chief Superintendent Lindsay is highly regarded by fellow firefighters for his knowledge and dedication to helping others in their time of need and he is a most deserving recipient of this Queen’s Birthday Honour.”
Chief Superintendent Lindsay will be presented with his AFSM at a ceremony later in the year.