Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) are pleased to announce three key appointments to the recently realigned NT Fire, Rescue and Emergency Service (NTFRES).
Ms Jennifer Reilly has been appointed as the Director of the combined senior management team, while Mr Mark Spain, a Territory local who has contributed 30 years as a professional fire-fighter, will become the new Chief Fire Officer. The previous Director of the Northern Territory Emergency Service, Mr Andrew Warton, takes on the role of Deputy Director and Chief Capability, Strategy and Training Officer.
“These appointments in the realigned NTFRES will deliver significant benefits to the organisation and the community,” Commissioner and CEO of the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services Reece Kershaw said.
“Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) is already a unified organisation, with shared values and a common vision to serve and protect the people of the Northern Territory. This realignment will simply improve what we are already doing.
“Any and all efficiencies generated by the new structure will be invested straight back into our front line. There will be a stronger emphasis and commitment to training, skills and capability development, and giving our people better tools to do an improved job.
“Across Australia, and internationally, there is an increasing recognition that better collaboration across emergency and fire services delivers not just improved operational outcomes for communities, but also better career opportunities for members and volunteers.”
Mr Kershaw said the new team had the drive, determination, experience and enthusiasm to move the organisation forward.
“Territorians rely on the professionalism and dedication of our frontline fire and emergency services workers to create safe and resilient communities.
“Our staff and volunteers deserve the best leadership possible if they are to do the best job possible,” Mr Kershaw said.
Realigning the existing senior management structures of the NT Emergency Service and NT Fire and Rescue Service will deliver a more agile agency able to respond quickly to new challenges and demands.
The changes follow a detailed capability study undertaken during the first half of the year for the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) and Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES).
Meetings, surveys and face to face consultations took place across the Territory with NTFRS and NTES members. An integral part of the study was identifying what opportunities could be achieved through greater amalgamation of the two existing Services.
The final report identified the potential to streamline training, capability development and some specialist operational capabilities within both services. The report also highlighted that a significant opportunity existed for the development of a culture that drives the achievement of interoperability and best practice across the board.