Northern Territory Police,
Fire and Emergency Services

Steve commenced with the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service on 5 September 2011 where he performs the dual role of Chief Fire Officer and Director.

His fire service career began on 1 September 1977 with the ACT Fire Brigade where he served in Operations, Community Safety, Training and various support roles before moving to Mackay and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) in November 1993.

During Steve’s term with QFRS he again served in similar roles as in the ACT however undertook a more senior role within the Brisbane South Region in 1997 before being promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner for the South Western Region in 2002.

Prior to leaving the QFRS, Steve occupied the role of Assistant Commissioner Rural Operations where he was responsible for and provided leadership to the State’s Rural Fire Service and its 34,000 volunteers.

Steve was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in 2005 for his leadership in advancing the portfolios of training, community safety and officer development. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a Graduate of the Institute of Fire Engineers and holds postgraduate qualifications in Applied Management and Leadership along with a Diploma in Business Management. Steve is currently the President of the Australasian Road Rescue Organisation (ARRO).

Mr Mick Ayre was appointed to the position of Assistant Director, Development and Strategy within the NT Fire and Rescue Service in March 2010.

Mr Ayre contributes to the strategic vision and outcomes of the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service by providing overall management and strategic leadership and direction to the Development and Strategy Division which includes the Training and Development, Community Safety and Special and Technical Operations Sections.

His role requires a close working relationship to be developed and maintained with other NT Government agencies working within the Emergency Management discipline and facilitation a strategic planning focus for business operations of the Service. Prior to joining the NTFRS, Mr Ayre's employment included appointments in Land Management, Risk Management and Business Contingency Planning, Emergency Management and Strategic Planning.

Acting Assistant Director David Ellis joined the NT Fire and Rescue Service in March 1984 and worked in Darwin until 1995.

He was then transferred to Alice Springs. David returned to Darwin in 1998. He was promoted to Senior Station Officer in 2004. Mr Ellis is responsible for the overall management of operations for the Northern Territory. The role requires coordination and consultation with all Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service personnel both operationally and administratively, liaising with community groups and agencies to promote communication and coordination on NTFRS issues and to promote capabilities and legislative requirements.

He has the overall responsibility for all operational activities including pre incident planning, resourcing, incident response and Incident management. The role also includes the formation and administration of NTFRS policies, future planning strategies, and providing advice to the Minister, CEO and Director on relevant policies and legislation.

Grant joined the NTFRS in 1979 transferring to Tennant Creek on two ocassions, in 1982 as a Firefighter and  in 1989 as OIC. Returning to Darwin in 1992, he went to Technical Services for a period prior to being Staff Officer to Chief Fire Officer Iain Rae for several years.

Grant has been Divisional Commander Operations, Commander Education & Training, Commander Fire Safety, District Officer Track Northern & Volunteers and has been District Officer Community Fire Safety since 2005. Grant was awarded an AFSM in 1997 and gained a Master's in International Management (MIM), is a Graduate of Public Sector Management, a Graduate of the Institute of Fire Engineers and holds a Diploma in Firefighting Management.

Participate in the formulation of National Fire Safety Policy, as part of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Management Authorities Council committee’s and represent the NTFRS on other committees including the function of NT Jurisdictional Representative for the Emergency Management Working Group Reporting on Government Services (ROGS).

Responsible for the Community Fire Safety Division which includes; Building Approvals Process, Fire Engineering, Liquor Licensing; Community Education, Hazard Abatement, Management and ongoing development of NTFAST system and NTFRS IT programs.

Tom Konieczny joined the NTFRS in 1993. Tom has worked as an Operational Firefighter in the Darwin Region before taking on the role of OIC Katherine Fire Station in 2002. Tom was promoted to District Officer Darwin Operations in 2004 and in 2005 became Manager Training and Development. In 2008 Tom transferred to Alice Springs as the District Officer responsible for the Southern Region. In 2011 Tom transferred back to Darwin taking up his current role as District Officer Special Operations.

The position is primarily concerned with the development of the NTFRS Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capability and the NTFRS Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) capability. The position is also responsible for all NTFRS operational vehicles and equipment.

Joined the Eden Hills Country Fire Service in South Australia in 1973 and is a current life member of this brigade.

Joined the Aviation Rescue Fire-fighting Service in 1982 and served at Adelaide, Parafield, Alice Springs and Cairns. Held the rank of Station Officer for a number of these years.

Was a Regional Officer with the SA Country Fire Service for a period of 5 years, serving at Region 2 (Gawler) and Region 4 (Port Augusta).

Attended both Ash Wednesday Bushfires, 1980 and 1983 in South Australia with the SACFS.

Joined the NTFRS in 2000 as a lateral entry in Alice Springs, before moving to Darwin in 2004 as Watch Commander on D Watch. Appointed District Officer Southern in March 2012.

Has been involved in the implementation of the incident management system AIIMS (Australian Interservice Incident management System) since 1991, and has worked extensively though-out Australia with teaching and development of this system. This is his specialist area and he looks forward to further implementation into the PFES over the next few years.

Developed the current Incident Management course in 2001 and has continued involvement, training prospective Station Officers within the NTFRS.

Has qualifications including Advanced Diploma in Fire-fighting Operations, Graduate Certificate in Applied Management and Graduate of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Still loves being a fire-fighter and considers himself privileged to have been given many opportunities in his chosen vocation.

The staff officer is responsible for assisting the Director with research, the preparation of Ministerials.

The position is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the volunteer fire brigades and fire and emergency response groups throughout the NT as well as the northern regional stations manned by full time and auxiliary fire fighters.

Mark Spain joined the NTFRS in 1986, Mark transferred from Operations, Darwin and served as OIC, Jabiru Emergency Response Area between 1995-97 before returning to Operations. In late 1997 Mark transferred to Training and Development and returned to Operations in 2000.

Mark resigned from the NTFRS to take up a position with the ACTFB in 2001 until early 2004 then joined the Country Fire Authority, Victoria, as a Structural Instructor for the Midlands Wimmera Region predominately delivering Urban fire training to the Volunteer Firefighters within regions 15,16 and 17.

In 2005 Mark rejoined the NTFRS as the Senior Station Officer, Training and Development and was promoted to the Rank of District Officer Training and Development in 2008.

His current roles and responsibilities includes provision of strategic leadership, management, direction and advice in the development and implementation of Human Resource development strategies, policies and procedures to the NT Fire and Rescue Service. This further includes development and implementation of all learning strategies to enhance the capability of NTFRS staff.

Responsible for all permanent fire stations in the Greater Darwin Emergency Response Area (ERA). As a member of the Operations team, manage and provide leadership within a district to develop resource and implement strategic programs to ensure the safety of the community.

Darwin and Rural Operations are responsible for the effective and efficient management of the four permanent fire stations for response to fires and other emergencies. Stations are located at Darwin, Marrara, Palmerston and Humpty Doo. This section is additionally responsibile for all calls to Hazmat emergency incidents and confirmed vehicle accidents within the Northern Region. The stations also cover the adjacent rural areas working with NTFRS volunteer units and Bushfires NT.