Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott and Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Greg Mullins have thanked Deputy Commissioner Jim Smith AFSM, who has announced his retirement after 36 years of service.
Deputy Commissioner Smith received the Australian Fire Services Medal in 2008 for distinguished service and the Commissioner's Unit Commendation for Meritorious Service in 1997 for his work during the Thredbo landslide disaster.
Mr Elliott said Deputy Commissioner Smith was a highly respected member of FRNSW and the emergency services community, having served in a number of commands including Newcastle, Hunter, Central Coast and Illawarra regions.
"Jim achieved a great deal during his career and served his community with distinction first as a firefighter, then Station Commander and right up through the ranks to Deputy Commissioner," Mr Elliott said.
"At the end of 2013, Deputy Commissioner Smith also acted as Commissioner of the NSW State Emergency Service for a short while and he provided outstanding principled leadership."
Commissioner Mullins said it was an honour to work alongside Deputy Commissioner Smith and that he was saddened by his departure.
"I wish Jim and his family all the best for his retirement and thank him for his decades of distinguished service to the people of NSW," Commissioner Mullins said.
"Jim's departure is a huge loss and he will be greatly missed, most especially by me.
"Jim has been a source of wise counsel and support to me for many years. He has made what I know was a very difficult decision - to leave an organisation that he loves and to which he has dedicated his working life."
Deputy Commissioner Smith joined FRNSW as a firefighter on 7 March 1980. He will retire on 8 April.