New Chief Officer strengthens Rural Fire Service

• Ben Millington appointed temporary Chief Officer Rural Fire Service Queensland.
• The appointment follows Mike Wassing taking up a 12 month secondment to Queensland Reconstruction Authority as the Deputy State Recovery Coordinator.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) will welcome Ben Millington as the new Chief Officer of Queensland’s Rural Fire Service, after a nation-wide, highly contested recruitment search.

Mr Millington will temporarily fill the Chief Officer role following Mike Wassing taking up the 12-month role of Deputy State Recovery Coordinator with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

As a senior emergency service executive, Mr Millington brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from his time in the New South Wales (NSW) RFS and NSW Police Force.

He has significant disaster management, state operations and aviation experience and has worked with Pacific nations to coordinate disaster preparedness.

Mr Millington will begin with RFS on 12 February.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery Nikki Boyd:

“As an experienced leader in a volunteer-based emergency service, Queensland’s RFS will be a great fit for Ben,” Minister Boyd said.

“He has managed some of NSWs’ largest operational responses, including the 2019-20 bushfires which were unprecedented in their scale and intensity.

“His change management experience will help guide the RFS as the organisation moves towards becoming the Queensland Fire Department.”

Quotes attributable to QFES Acting Commissioner Steve Smith:

“While Queensland is state of extremes, Ben is a leader committed to keeping communities safe,” Acting Commissioner Smith said.

“His direction will drive the RFS forward as we continue to build a contemporary volunteer service.

“Ben’s appointment is the first of several to be made within the coming weeks that will strengthen QFES’ leadership team ahead of the transition to Queensland Fire Department later this year.” 

ENDS

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