NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Chief Superintendent Ashley Sullivan, and Mid North Coast Volunteer Gregory Phillip Steele have been awarded the Emergency Services Medal (ESM) in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Greg Steele ESM
Greg Steele is the local commander for Kempsey Nambucca SES cluster, who he has led in various roles since 1990. He started with the NSW SES in 1978, as a 17-year-old at Wyong on the NSW Central Coast.
Greg says the SES was a very different organisation back then, recalling fond memories of his time in white overalls.
Over the years he has responded to floods on the Hawkesbury Nepean, been involved in general land rescue, and major disasters including the Thredbo Landslide and Newcastle Earthquake.
“We started doing flood rescues, long before we had swift water rescue training,” he said.
“We’d rescued people out of cars, like we do today, but without the knowledge,” during the early Hawkesbury floods.
Greg said the Thredbo landslide in 1997 was a challenging incident where he worked closely with Mine Rescue teams.
“We were working through debris under the slab to find survivors, he said.
At the Kempsey unit, he has been involved in general land rescue and estimates they had attended to at least 4 or 5 incidents a week which gave them great insights into road crash and industrial incidents.
“The SES is something I’ve done my whole life. It’s something I couldn’t have done without the support of my wife and family who have made many sacrifices over the years.
Greg said it was a great honour to receive this recognition.
“It is a huge privilege to be recognised, but it’s not about the award. Helping the community in times of need and the teamwork and friendships you make in the SES are life long lasting.
Ashley Sullivan ESM
NSW SES Chief Superintendent Sullivan was recognised for 28 years of dedicated service to the NSW SES as both a volunteer and senior leader.
Ashley’s journey with the SES began at just 14 years old when he joined the Kogarah Unit in June 1997. What started as a school-aged volunteer experience quickly developed into a lifelong commitment to public safety and emergency response.
“I had great mentors early on who showed me what service and community meant,” Chief Superintendent Sullivan said.
“It was the training and camaraderie that hooked me – and I’ve never looked back.”
Chief Superintendent Sullivan’s SES experience shaped not only his volunteer career, but also his private sector path, becoming a qualified arborist and later transitioning into emergency management leadership as a staff member of the SES. From chainsaw training to strategic fleet programs, his SES journey has come full circle.
He has played a leading role in some of the Service’s most significant operations – including the Lismore floods, the 2016 Shoalhaven flood, the Kiama and Kurnell tornadoes, and New Year’s Eve operations on Sydney Harbour. Ashley has also represented Australia on two international deployments, including a wildfire mission to Idaho, USA supporting Australian Firefighters deployed across the USA.
Chief Superintendent Sullivan currently serves as a member of the Kiama Unit, while also working as the Senior Manager of Fleet at SES headquarters. He has previously held positions as a State Duty Commander, in-water rescue operator, and regional controller, bringing both hands-on and strategic experience to the role.
Following the 2022 Flood Inquiry, Chief Superintendent Sullivan led the SES’s Flood Rescue Enhancement Program, helping shape the agency’s new direction in flood rescue. His work contributed to the development of the Flood Rescue Area of Operations (FRAO) assessment tool and the beacon triage system, now used to prioritise and manage large-scale flood rescue events.
“During the most recent flooding on the Mid North Coast more than 800 flood rescues were triaged,” he said.
“Seeing that level of coordination save lives is one of the most rewarding aspects of this work.”
One of Chief Superintendent Sullivan’s proudest achievements is his leadership of the High Clearance Vehicle Implementation Program, born out of the retirement of Defence’s Unimog fleet in 2016. Today, NSW SES has nearly 20 custom-built, fit-for-purpose High Clearance Vehicles thanks to that vision.
“They’ve been absolute game-changers – saving lives, transporting people, and resupplying isolated communities,” he said.
“To know we built something safe and highly capable for the Service is incredibly rewarding.”
Chief Superintendent Sullivan was also instrumental in the implementation of the Bush Search and Rescue unit within the NSW SES, successfully managing its transition from the Volunteer Rescue Association and helping secure political and operational support to grow the capability.
He credits mentors like Warwick Cary, one of his early unit commanders at Kogarah, for guiding his leadership journey. Chief Superintendent Sullivan remains grounded in his roots, still volunteering where he can.
“I try to get out on a crew whenever I can. It’s important to stay connected and remember what it’s all about,” he said.
Reflecting on nearly three decades of service, Ashley says he never imagined where the SES would take him.
“When I started, I didn’t think it would be a career – it was just something I loved doing. I don’t know where I’d be without it.”
“It’s a humbling recognition. I’m proud to be part of this organisation and to contribute in whatever way I can.”
NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing AFSM praised the recipients.
“I congratulate Greg and Ashley,” Commissioner Wassing said.
“Their dedication and service spans decades and they are truly deserving of this recognition.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the Emergency Service Medal was among the highest honour available to emergency service personnel.
“While we’re recognising Kings’ Birthday Honours recipients today, I want to acknowledge all the NSW SES members and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep NSW communities safe all year round.
“In the past few weeks, we’ve seen SES crews once again answer the call to support local communities, in response to the devastating Mid North Coast floods.
“I’ve witnessed this exceptional work first-hand, and I’m grateful to all our NSW emergency services agencies for working together to help people during the worst of times.”