Neil Bibby ASFM, editor of Asia Pacific Fire and Chair of the MDM Editorial Advisory Board, has been recognized with an award in this year’s Australia Day honours list. The award was given for significant service to the community through emergency service organisations. He said it was heartwarming to be recognized for his work and receive the Member of Australia medal.
Neil has been involved in the emergency services for the last 50 years, becoming Assistant Chief of the Melbourne Fire Brigade and CEO of the Victorian Country Fire Authority, retiring in 2010. Retirement didn’t suit Neil, two main projects are keeping him busy. The first of which was chairing the Emergency Serviced Foundation (ESF) for the past 9 years. The ESF is a Melbourne-based organisation looking at the mental health of all emergency services volunteer and career members, which includes all nonmilitary emergency services. The foundation raises money which is then used to utilise world best practices in the area of mental health to help its members. Its current push is to be able to provide a respite facility for emergency services personnel suffering from mental health as a result of their service.
Neil’s second initiative is to assist in the development of innovation throughout the emergency services sector. Neil has been involved in varied projects, including but not limited to, drones, simulated training, instantaneous translation, solar panel safety, community education and electric truck design.
Neil’s position as the Editor of Asia Pacific Fire Magazine not only helps with the success of the initiatives above but also allows Neil to keep his finger on the pulse of the emergency service industry.
Neil feels privileged to have been so closely involved in the evolution of such a crucial industry over the decades and is humbled by the recognition this honour represents.
Mark Seton, Publisher of Asia Pacific Fire said of the award… “This is a fantastic honour for Neil and all of us at MDM are extremely proud of this achievement for him. His work with Asia Pacific Fire magazine, the Emergency Services Foundation and his desire to see the fire industry become a safer environment for all is inspiring. Congratulations Neil. Well deserved!!”
To reach Neil directly, please email neil.bibby@mdmpublishing.com
