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Fire Services Commissioner
The Fire Services Commissioner is an independent statutory officer and Victoria’s most senior operational firefighter.
The role was established in response to a recommendation delivered by the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.
The Fire Services Commissioner is appointed by the Governor in Council and on Monday 6 September 2010 Craig Lapsley commenced the role.
The commissioner works closely with the Chief Officers of the three Victorian fire services:
- Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)
- Country Fire Authority (CFA)
- Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB).
One of the commissioner’s key objectives is to drive improvements and a reform program across these agencies to ensure they operate as one integrated force.
Other key responsibilities include:
- Work with fire agencies to enhance their individual and collective capability
- Develop and maintain standards for the performance of functions by CFA, DSE and MFB
- Develop and maintain Incident Management operating procedures, endorsement and accreditation
- Have overall control of the response to major fires
- Issue warnings and information to the community about fires in Victoria
- Have regard to the importance of CFA volunteers with respect to Victoria’s firefighting management and capacity
- Promote and lead reform to improve operational capability
- Encourage and oversee joint initiatives of the fire agencies
- Manage the State Control Centre
- Make recommendations to Minister for Emergency Services in relation to fire management.
The Fire Services Commissioner reports to the Minister for Emergency Services.
For more information, visit the Fire Services Commissioner website.