New RFS Commissioner

Posted bybetterfuturePosted inCommentary, NewsTags:, , ,

On 26 June the NSW Government announced Trent Curtin as the new Commissioner of the Rural Fire Service, following the retirement of Rob Rogers from this vital emergency leadership role, after 40 years of service to the RFS.

The government media release said:

“Mr Curtin commenced his career 30 years ago as a volunteer firefighter with the Country Fire Authority in Victoria and has served in senior leadership roles in the emergency services in both Victoria and NSW. These roles included Acting Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner at Fire and Rescue NSW with responsibility for Community Fire Unit volunteers. He also served as Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Fire Rescue Victoria between 2015 and 2020. Mr Curtin has extensive experience battling major fires, floods and coordinating large-scale responses involving multiple agencies to significant emergency incidents.”

Mr Curtin comes with a science degree and a Masters of Business Administration, and will commence duty on 14 July.

IBG comment

  • IBG wishes Mr Rogers well in retirement and congratulates Mr Curtin on his appointment. We look forward to how fresh leadership might enhance bushfire management in NSW.
  • The appointment of an ‘outsider’ to lead the RFS is a break from tradition. Since the creation of the RFS in 1997 under inaugural Commissioner Phil Koperberg, the two subsequent commissioners have come from deputy roles in the organisation.
  • Since its inception, IBG has advocated for improvements to how bushfires are managed, to reduce impacts on firefighters, communities and the environment. In a long list, concerns include a stronger focus on initial attack (especially for remote fires), evidence-based strategies for large fires, commitment to a strong learning culture supported with post-fire analysis, recruiting and retaining volunteers and professional fire experts, transparency, better inter-agency cooperation, a supportive culture and building community resilience.
  • The RFS deserves excellent and progressive leadership. It is hoped that the next period can be one of renewal and reform while all the best aspects of the organisation and its vital functions are retained and strengthened.