In 2019, Carlene York was appointed NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Commissioner. She has led the agency through a period of sustained growth, with a focus on people, capability and community. This has included securing over $190 million in additional funding since 2021 and strengthening mental health support services for agency members.
In 2021, Carlene took on the role of NSW State Disaster Controller at the start of an 18-month period that would include the worst flood disasters in NSW history. The flooding triggered evacuations, isolated communities and disrupted daily life, all amid the complexities of a global pandemic. Carlene was appointed the first female President of the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services in October 2021, a position she held until October 2023.
Earlier in her career, Carlene worked for the NSW Police Force, having joined in 1980. Her career spanned several areas including forensic services, operational policing and prosecuting matters of a complex and sensitive nature. She was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2014 and is a recipient of the Australasian Council of Women and Policing’s highest honour – the Audrey Fagan Memorial Award.