Mark King has received the Australian Fire Service Medal
For over 30 years, Mark King has exemplified the spirit of volunteer firefighting in Victoria.
This Australia Day, his outstanding contributions to CFA and the community were recognised with the prestigious Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM), the highest honour for an Australian firefighter.
Mark began his CFA journey in November 1992 as a reserve firefighter in Yallourn North, the start of a remarkable career dedicated to protecting communities and supporting fellow firefighters.
Over the years, he has held critical leadership roles, including Strike Team Leader, Sector Commander, Divisional Commander and Health Team Leader.
Reflecting on the recognition, Mark said: “I’m certainly honoured and a bit humbled. There are so many people out there doing great work, so to be singled out is very significant.”
A cornerstone of Mark’s contributions to the CFA is his focus on firefighter health and safety.
After witnessing the impact of heat exhaustion during a fire in 2008, he spearheaded the first Firefighter Rehabilitation Unit within the southeast region, which are now implemented statewide.
The units carry health monitoring equipment, Co-Oximeters, specialist Kore Kooler forearm-immersion chairs, wash station, water, defibrillator and first aid kit to help firefighters make a speedy recovery and get them back to operational duty as soon as possible.
Mark and his fellow brigade members showcased their first rehab unit stored in a trailer kindly donated by a brigade member, which helped spark interest from other brigades within the southeast region, which now boasts three rehab units.
“I can remember a fire in the Westbury area where a young woman came down with heat stress,” Mark explained.
“We couldn’t get an ambulance to her for some time, and she was very upset. A couple of days later, at the same fire, my son also suffered heat stress.
“That really prompted me to start looking into solutions.”
Working with his brigade and group, Mark pursued a grant to establish the Yallourn North unit, building on earlier groundwork by another group member. “I ran with it, and it’s become a great asset,” he said.
“It’s probably not used enough, but awareness is growing.
“I had a firefighter thank me recently after our process flagged hereditary high blood pressure that might not have been discovered otherwise.
“That kind of impact makes it all worthwhile.”
Mark’s leadership has been instrumental during some of the state’s most challenging disasters, including campaign fires and flood emergencies across Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania.
Notably, during the 2022 Warragul Creek Fire, Mark managed operations with precision, balancing cultural sensitivities, environmental concerns, and repeated breaches of control lines caused by strong winds. Later that year, he served as Divisional Commander during the Shepparton floods, overseeing night operations and strike teams while supporting affected communities.
In 2023, his expertise was called upon again during the Erica/Rawson and Briagolong fires. Initially deployed as a Rehab Team Leader, he was reassigned to a tanker crew protecting private property after a sudden wind change. His steady leadership and mentoring abilities were specifically requested by the incident controller, underscoring his reputation as a trusted and resourceful leader.
Mark’s commitment to the CFA and the community is also shown in his role as a Fire Investigator which has spanned across districts 9, 10, 11 and 27. A role which he has undertaken since 2004.
Mark’s dedication to mentoring the next generation of firefighters has also defined his career. As a volunteer trainer and assessor, he has equipped countless members with essential skills in breathing apparatus operation, tanker licensing, and general firefighting techniques.
“I enjoy bringing new members into the CFA and making sure they learn the right way,” Mark said.
“The biggest thing for me is ensuring they’re safe on the fireground. Their safety is always my main priority.”
Mark currently serves as the Secretary of the Yallourn North Fire Brigade, a role he took on after stepping down as Captain in June 2023 following nearly 17 years in leadership.
Receiving the AFSM is a fitting testament to Mark’s tireless work ethic, innovative mindset, and unwavering dedication to CFA’s mission.
Yet, for Mark, the greatest reward lies in the impact of his efforts.
“I’m deeply honoured to receive this award,” he said. “But the real reward is seeing the positive impact our work has on the community and knowing we’re making a difference when it matters most.”