Established in 1875 as the
proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
10 JUNE, 2026
Fire chief honoured Country Fire Authority chief officer and Altona North resident Jason Heffernan has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his more than two decades of distinguished service to fi re and emergency management across Victoria and New South Wales. “To be recognised with the Australian Fire Service Medal is deeply humbling,” Mr Heffernan said. “Th is honour not only reflects my career but the thousands of volunteers, fi refighters and colleagues I’ve had the privilege to work alongside during my time in emergency services.” Mr Heffernan began his emergency services career as a volunteer fi refighter with the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) in 1998 before joining the NSW Police Force. In 2005, he returned to the NSWRFS as a zone officer and went on to hold a range of senior leadership positions over the next 15 years, including acting deputy commissioner. During this time, he led complex operational responses and contributed to strategic emergency management initiatives. Mr Heffernan was appointed CFA chief officer in 2020 and led the authority through significant organisational change following Victoria’s Fire Services Reform. “To lead a volunteer organisation like CFA is an honour and something I never take for granted,” he said. “Our members demonstrate such remarkable commitment, skill and selflessness. They are the heart of CFA, and while that may sound cliche, it remains absolutely true.” Th roughout his career, Mr Heffernan has held significant leadership roles during major emergency events, including some of Australia’s most challenging fi re seasons. As Victoria’s state response controller during the 2024 Grampians fi res, he led emergency operations for 33 days under extreme fi re conditions to help protect threatened communities. Mr Heffernan also held key operational leadership roles during the devastating 2019-20 New South Wales bushfi res and was awarded the National Emergency Medal in recognition of his service. “I’ve been fortunate to serve across both Victoria and NSW during some of our most significant fi res and emergencies,” he said.
This honour not only reflects my career but the thousands of volunteers, firefighters and colleagues I’ve had the privilege to work alongside during my time in emergency services - Jason Heffernan
CFA chief officer and Altona North resident Jason Heffernan has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours. (Supplied)
“What always stands out is the dedication of those around you and on the frontline, those people who consistently step up when it matters most. “Those times stand out when I look back on my career so far - working alongside extraordinary people who show up for their communities, no matter how tough a challenge they face.” Under Mr Heffernan’s leadership, CFA has modernised training, strengthened operational readiness and introduced new capabilities including fi re medical response, remote piloted aircraft operations and arduous fi refighting to further enhance the services provided to
communities across Victoria. He has also championed innovation and the development of digital tools such as the CFA pocket book app, providing fi refighters with direct access to operational procedures in the field. “Emergency management and response continues to evolve - and must continue evolving - as climate change brings longer, more intense fi re seasons and we face new challenges in structural and industrial fi refighting,” Mr Heffernan said. “It’s important that we continue to invest in training, technology and capability to meet these challenges.” Driving cultural change across CFA
has also been a feature of his leadership, embedding behavioural standards, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and expanding leadership opportunities for volunteers. “Creating a more inclusive and respectful organisation strengthens CFA and ensures future generations of volunteers can thrive,” Mr Heffernan said. “It’s important that everyone who wants to contribute to their community through CFA feels welcomed, supported and valued.” More King’s Birthday honours:
Pages 2-3.
ADVERTISEMENT
12832481-MS24-26