Bellingen’s National Parks firefighter Tony Prior honoured for ‘distinguished service’

BELLINGEN’S Anthony Prior has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours.

Mr Prior, who is currently Team Leader Fire for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on the North Coast, was honoured for his distinguished service and lifelong dedication to protecting communities and the environment.

“It’s important recognition, not just for me, but for National Parks and our role,” he said in response to being named a recipient.

Mr Prior joined the NPWS in 1995 and attended his first hazard reduction burn in Botany Bay National Park.
Since then, he has served in a range of frontline roles.

“With more than 30 years of fire management and emergency response experience, Tony is an outstanding member of the NPWS team,” a service spokesperson said.

“He [has assisted] in the planning, preparation, and delivery of more than 440 hazard reduction burns and has been deployed interstate and overseas on numerous occasions – including to Northern California, Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria.
“He played a crucial role in the response to the 2019/2020 bushfires, serving as an Air Attack Supervisor across many firegrounds in NSW, including managing the Large Air Tankers.”

Mr Prior said he loves the camaraderie in the NPWS and how everyone is highly skilled and “backs each other up”.

“We start early, we get home late, and it can go on for weeks on end and, in some seasons, months on end.

“It builds very strong relationships and a highly skilled firefighting force.

“Co-operative firefighting is also particularly important in NSW as we work closely with the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, and Forestry Corp.”

Mr Prior’s citation concludes that his “outstanding service, mentorship and innovative approach have made a profound impact on his colleagues, the agency, and the broader community.”