Greg Mullins started as a bushfire brigade volunteer in 1972 then became a full time firefighter with the NSW Fire Brigades in 1978. After serving in a variety of operational and specialist roles in 2003 he became the first person in the organisation’s history to come from the ranks and be appointed as both Chief Fire Officer and CEO (Commissioner). When he retired in 2017 he was the 2nd longest serving chief in the organisation’s 133 year history. He coordinated responses to many major natural disasters over more than two decades but moe importantly led a cultural and organisational reform program that included a name change to Fire & Rescue NSW, a focus on innovation and technology, workplace communication, values-based leadership, gender equity in recruitment, and Indigenous recruitment.He worked with bushfire fighting authorities in the USA, Canada, France and Spain during a Churchill Fellowship in 1995, studied at the US National Fire Academy in 2001-02, and represented Australian emergency services at many international forums.
During his 39-year career he served as President, Vice President and Board Chair of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC), Deputy Chair of the NSW State Emergency Management Committee, Australian Director of the International Fire Chiefs Association of Asia, NSW representative on the Australian Emergency Management Committee, Australian representative on the UN’s International Search & Rescue Advisory Committee, and as a member of the NSW Bushfire Coordinating Committee. He is currently Chair of the NSW Ambulance Service Advisory Board. Awards include Officer of the Order of Australia, Australian Fire Service Medal, Commissioner’s Commendation for Courageous Action (rescue during 1994 bushfires), Chief Officer’s Commendation, NSW Police Commissioner’s Commendation for Service, St JOhns Ambulance Emergency Services Award. Upon retirement, he rejoined the volunteer bushfire brigade where he started in 1972, and also volunteers as a bush regenerator.