Mr Paul Baxter, QSO of Waikanae, for services to the New Zealand Fire Service.
Mr Baxter was Chief Executive and National Commander of the New Zealand Fire Service (NZFS). He joined the NZFS as a volunteer firefighter, later becoming a career recruit, senior firefighter, station officer, senior station officer and Chief Fire Officer. As Chief Executive, he led the merger of urban and rural fire services into Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the biggest reform of fire services in New Zealand since the 1940s. He has implemented many of the recommendations from the independent Fire Services Review of 2012. He has also volunteered and worked part-time with St John as an Ambulance Officer. Internationally, Mr Baxter was co-Chair of the United Nation’s International Search and Rescue Advisory Group Asia-Pacific Region and was appointed President of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council.