Captain Collins joined the Mossman Fire Station auxiliary crew in 2006 where she worked her way up the ranks to become captain in 2012.

As an auxiliary officer, Captain Collins said she and her crew are on call 24/7 and will stop whatever they are doing to attend to an emergency.

“When a call comes through, we get notified, we all come to the station from wherever we are and jump on the truck and roll out,” she said.

On top of her position as captain, she also volunteers as a scientific officer within the fire service, to provide support in incidents involving hazardous materials and unknown chemicals.

“It involves annual training and I get called out to a job where I use my skills to identify whatever the substance is and try to neutralize it, contain it and, make the scene safe again.

“It’s becoming more and more important with more threats around and larger volumes of chemicals being transported on the road,” she said.

Over the years Captain Collins has also worked hard amongst the community through her position at the Douglas Shire Council, as an adult leader of the Emergency Service Cadet program, and as a member of the local SES unit, all whilst completing a Bachelor degree at James Cook University.

While the award may have come as a shock to Captain Collins, it was no surprise to those she works with.

Commander for the Far North, region Inspector Clint Tunnie, said it has been long coming for Captain Collins and that she sets a benchmark for leadership across the district.

“Our senior team is it extremely proud of Mel with regards to the services that she's provided to the community,” he said.

“She is well known across the region for her leadership style and ability and she has played a pinnacle role here in Mosman in developing the team.

“Every single one of the firefighters within the group that works with Mel up here is more than competent to deal with whatever they may be faced with,” he said.

He also added that Captain Collins’ scientific volunteer position has allowed the Mossman team to expand their regional capabilities.

“The information she learns helps us to provide safe working environments for our firefighters and other emergency services.

“I certainly take my hat off to Mel,” Inspector Tunnie said.