David O’Neill has dedicated his career to the field of search and rescue, making significant contributions both locally and internationally. As the co-founder and Director of Operations for the Institute of Search and Technical Rescue and the Chair of the charity Fire Aid and International Development, David's work has made a real difference in many communities. During his 30-year career with the London Fire Brigade (LFB), David held every rank up to the position of Assistant Commissioner, where he was responsible for Special Rescue Projects, International Operations, and Government liaison. His expertise in these areas led him to take on roles such as Gold (Strategic) Incident Commander and National Tactical Advisor for a range of national level incidents, most notably, leading the body recovery operation for the fire service following the Grenfell Tower fire. He has served as a deployable expert for the European Civil Protection Mechanism and NATO, participating in response and capacity-building missions in countries such as Nepal, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, and Bhutan. In recognition of his dedication to humanitarian efforts, David was made a Member of the Most Honourable Order of the British Empire in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. In 2023, he led the UK Government’s rescue response to the Turkey/Syria earthquake, for which he was awarded the Order for Distinguished Humanitarian Service of Türkiye. David O’Neill’s career is marked by a commitment to saving lives and enhancing the capabilities of rescue services worldwide. His work continues to inspire and set a high standard for humanitarian efforts.