Daniel Austin
Wollongong,New South Wales
Summary
A recognised, accomplished senior leader with a proven track record at NSW State Emergency Service, adept in crisis management and organisational leadership. Spearheaded the modernization of operational policy and led the response to some of Australia's most significant disasters, showcasing exceptional government relations and partnership building. Achieved significant advancements in emergency services through strategic initiatives and effective team mentorship.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Commissioner (Executive Director)
NSW State Emergency Service
Wollongong, NSW
- Company Overview: The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for the executive leadership of multi-disciplinary teams to develop strategy and deliver effective operational services, relating to the preparation for and response to emergencies to save lives and protect communities
- I have represented the organisation in a variety of sector, state and national level arenas and inquiries, including budget estimates
- I hold the responsibility as Chief Executive Officer of the NSW SES Registered Training Organisation
- I have successfully achieved reregistration with ASQA
- NSW SES was acknowledged as a winner in the 2024 NSW Training Awards
- I have led the significant modernisation of operational policy, delivery of the NSW SES Capability Framework and new capabilities, review of community warnings products and systems, and development implementation of incident management training
- As the Executive Sponsor, I have recently delivered a membership availability and resource management application from beginning to end within budget and ahead of schedule
- I am responsible for the executive sponsorship numerous major projects being undertaken
- Operationally, I have led some of the most significant and complex emergency situations seen in Australia recently, including the 2022 NSW floods which have been assessed as the most expensive disaster in Australia’s history by the Australian Insurance Council
- The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for the executive leadership of multi-disciplinary teams to develop strategy and deliver effective operational services, relating to the preparation for and response to emergencies to save lives and protect communities
Peer Review Lead (Secondment)
Australasian Fire & Emergency Services Authorities Council
08.2019 - 12.2019
- Leader of a team lessons management professionals evaluating a series of significant concurrent emergencies to identify opportunities for improvement
Chair – Governing Council
Mt Barker Primary School
02.2017 - 11.2019
- Leader of Governing Council; Representative to Education Dept; successfully advocated for funding for school redevelopment
Assistant Chief Officer - Director, Regional Operations
SA Country Fire Service
12.2015 - 11.2019
- Executive responsible for the service delivery of CFS operational capability to the community throughout South Australia
- Senior representative of the agency in a variety of sector, state and national level arenas
- Responsible for influencing and operationalising agency doctrine and governance whilst maintaining the values of the significant volunteer membership
- Senior Emergency Management leader at the strategic level
- Deliver strategies to respond to future challenges by championing key initiatives such as professionalization of the industry and building gender equality
- Build and drive funding programs aligned with the strategic directions of the agency
- Initiate and maintain active engagement with SA government partners, Commonwealth agencies, local industry and private sector
- Guide, mentor and develop staff to enhance their capabilities, confidence and performance
Superintendent
Department of Fire & Emergency Services, WA
, WA
08.2012 - 12.2015
- Leader of career and volunteer fire and emergency services capability across a significant geographical region of Western Australia, with significant human resource and fiscal responsibilities
- Deputy Chair of District Emergency Management Committee
- Stakeholder relationship at agency regional head and LG Chief Executive Officer level
- Business governance and management – implemented new reporting structure with Region to better functional management
- Operational command, leadership and incident management roles – endorsed as Level 3 incident controller and Operations Area Manager
- Leadership of emergency services preparedness activities of major events such as ANZAC Albany
Regional Officer
SA Country Fire Service
10.2004 - 01.2011
- Lead the development and maintenance of operational plans within the Region including pre-incident planning, operational preparedness, incident command and control
- Assist in the efficient management of the human and physical resources within the Region
- Supports the Regional efforts in coordinating/supporting operational incident management and training
- Assists with the management, leadership and support of volunteer members
- Monitor and evaluate operational performance and review service delivery practices and procedures including identify opportunities for improvement
Education
Executive Fellows Program -
ANZSOG
Company Directors Course -
Australian Institute of Company Directors
Graduate Certificate - Applied Management
Australian Institute of Police Management
Bachelor of Emergency Management -
Charles Sturt University
Advanced Diploma - Public Safety (Emergency Management)
Diploma - Business
Diploma - Training & Assessment Systems
Certificate IV - Public Safety (Firefighting Supervision)
Skills
- Organizational leadership
- Human resources
- Financial oversight
- Media relations
- Partnership building
- Government relations
- Crisis management
Previousprofessionalexperience
- Peer Review Lead (Secondment), Australasian Fire & Emergency Services Authorities Council, 08/01/19 - 12/31/19, Leader of a team lessons management professionals evaluating a series of significant concurrent emergencies to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Chair – Governing Council, Mt Barker Primary School, 02/01/17 - 11/30/19, Leader of Governing Council; Representative to Education Dept; successfully advocated for funding for school redevelopment.
- Assistant Chief Officer - Director, Regional Operations, SA Country Fire Service, 12/01/15 - 11/30/19, Executive responsible for the service delivery of CFS operational capability to the community throughout South Australia., Senior representative of the agency in a variety of sector, state and national level arenas., Responsible for influencing and operationalising agency doctrine and governance.
- Superintendent, Department of Fire & Emergency Services, WA, 08/01/12 - 12/31/15, Leader of career and volunteer fire and emergency services capability across a significant geographical region of Western Australia., Deputy Chair of District Emergency Management Committee.
- District Manager, Department of Fire & Emergency Services, WA, 01/01/11 - 07/31/12, Respond to and command, control or coordinate emergency operations., Manage staff such as Area Managers and Community Emergency Services Managers.
- Regional Officer, SA Country Fire Service, 10/01/04 - 01/31/11, Lead the development and maintenance of operational plans within the Region., Assist in the efficient management of the human and physical resources within the Region.
References
- Carlene York APM, Commissioner (Retired), NSW State Emergency Service, 0428 428 183
- Greg Nettleton AFSM, Chief Officer (Retired), SA Country Fire Service, 0428 300 321
- Andrew Stark AFSM, Managing Director, Capability Creation Pty Ltd, 0438 599 345
Boardscommitteesandassociations
- Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
- Graduate Member of Institution of Fire Engineers (GIFireE)
- Councillor – NSW Royal Humane Society
Honours
- National Medal for Service & first clasp
- Life Membership of SA Country Fire Service
- Premier’s Citation for 2019/20 NSW Bushfires
- Winner AFAC Industry Awards 2024
Accomplishments
- National Medal and second clasp
- SA Country Fire Service Medal and clasp
- 2024 AFAC Most Effective Governance Award
- 2024 NSW Training Awards winner
- 2024 AFAC Lessons Management Award winner
Timeline
Peer Review Lead (Secondment)
Australasian Fire & Emergency Services Authorities Council
08.2019 - 12.2019
Chair – Governing Council
Mt Barker Primary School
02.2017 - 11.2019
Assistant Chief Officer - Director, Regional Operations
SA Country Fire Service
12.2015 - 11.2019
Superintendent
Department of Fire & Emergency Services, WA
08.2012 - 12.2015
Regional Officer
SA Country Fire Service
10.2004 - 01.2011
Deputy Commissioner (Executive Director)
NSW State Emergency Service
Executive Fellows Program -
ANZSOG
Company Directors Course -
Australian Institute of Company Directors
Graduate Certificate - Applied Management
Australian Institute of Police Management
Bachelor of Emergency Management -
Charles Sturt University
Advanced Diploma - Public Safety (Emergency Management)
Diploma - Business
Diploma - Training & Assessment Systems
Certificate IV - Public Safety (Firefighting Supervision)
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