Dedicated NSW SES members receive the prestigious Emergency Services Medal (ESM)

13/06/2017 03:03 PM

NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) congratulates Nichole Richardson and Steve Cliffe on receiving the 2017 Emergency Services Medal (ESM) as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours over the long weekend.

The Emergency Services Medal (ESM) is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian emergency service, and people who are involved in emergency management, training or education. The medal was introduced in 1999, and recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "ESM".

Nichole Richardson - ESM

Nichole Richardson, our Lachlan Region Controller, has been with us for 29 years as both a volunteer and staff member. Nichole started her SES career as a volunteer with the Botany Unit, followed by time in Waverley-Woollahra Unit and then moving on to an appointment as the NSW SES LachIan Deputy Region Controller in July 2007.

One of Nicole’s notable achievements was during the 1999 Sydney Hailstorm, where she led her Unit with distinction, providing invaluable support to the community in her own local government area, as well as lending support to surrounding communities. More recently her competent incident management skills were again highlighted during the major flood event last year in Western NSW.

Steve Cliffe - ESM

Our other valued ESM recipient is Steve Cliffe, our Wollongong Local Controller, who has dedicated 26 years to bettering the Service.

Steve has made significant contributions to the operational capability of the NSW SES by using his technical expertise to guide capability development and review through active participation in numerous working and advisory groups. He has also delivered training to Units throughout the State through successful events and training courses and has been deployed in Incident Management Team roles including as an Operations Officer, Incident Controller, Task Force Commander, Strike Team Leader, and in flood and vertical rescue capabilities.

Steve and Nicole receive Queen's Birthday Honours over long weekedn


Volunteering with the NSW State Emergency Service is an exciting and rewarding way to give back to your community. But don't take our word for it! Read some volunteer stories and decide for yourself. Testimonials 


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