Paul Lyddiard
Wollongong,NSW
Summary
Experienced Emergency Management Professional with over two decades of dedicated service in leadership and incident control roles within the Australian Regular Army and NSW Emergency Services. Proven expertise in managing fire, flood, and biohazard operations, complemented by advanced qualifications in Leadership & Management, Public Safety (Emergency Management), and Vocational Education and Training. Skilled in AIIMS principles, project management (PMBOK), and community engagement, with a solid track record of enhancing operational readiness, training, and hazard management. Adept at fostering resilient communities, valued partnerships, and maintaining high emergency response and recovery standards. Ready to leverage extensive field experience, strategic planning, and collaborative approach to contribute effectively in a challenging emergency management role.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
Work History
Training and Resource Manager
New South Wales State Emergency Service
01.2024
- Build and manage a team of NSW SES trainers and assessors to strengthen the trainer resource base for sustainable implementation of the Training and Exercise Plan
- Establish and oversee the maintenance of volunteer and trainer data, implementing audit initiatives to ensure data quality and consistency for strategic resource planning and deployment
- Undertake and oversee the collation, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of NSW SES volunteer trainer and assessor capability to inform organisational resourcing and enable delivery of the State-wide Training Plan
- Proactively identify and manage organisational volunteer skill sets, including qualification currency, to engage, recognise, and develop agile, qualified, mobile trainers and assessors
- Lead, manage, and plan to ensure effective and compliant utilisation of assets and resources, encouraging and supporting mobility, and strict compliance with governance, work health, and safety requirements
- Manage the Training Delivery team’s budget, including working with Zone Training & Delivery Officers and Training Advisors to develop efficient and effective budget forecasts
- Undertook the duties of an on-call Zone Duty Commander to act as an escalation point for the Zone On-call Officer to provide financial approvals for operational expenses above Unit level delegations, handle urgent issues impacting Units and the Zone, operate on a roster basis, undertake risk assessments to determine if a Flood Rescue Area of Responsibility needs to be declared, problem solve issues unresolved by Local and Unit Commanders, and be the primary point of contact for the State Coordination Centre
- Fulfill the responsibilities and accountabilities of a Level 3 Incident Controller during adverse weather events.
Deputy Zone Commander
New South Wales State Emergency Service
08.2024 - 12.2024
- Provide leadership, management and direction to groups of Units through Local Commanders to ensure operational readiness and planning with Unit capability to respond to defined roles
- Advise, mentor and support Local commanders with planning, operations and leadership activities
- Work collaboratively with the Business Service Support Manager to ensure Units are provided with resources, equipment and facilities to enable a high level of readiness and operational capability consistent with defined roles
- Maintain an awareness of all volunteer-related issues across the Zone, including supporting Local Commanders to ensure compliance with NSW SES requirements
- Work collaboratively with the Training Directorate to define Unit training needs for operational management and flood planning
- Ensure systems are in place to regularly and rigorously evaluate operational readiness and capability by exercising
- Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Zone; assist Units in the development of SOPs for their operation centres
- Deputise for the Zone Commander and carry out Zone management activities as required
- Oversee the resolution of issues arising to ensure operational capacity and readiness
- Represent the NSW SES on external committees and working parties
- Supervise emergency responses as a level 2 and 3 Incident Controller
- Collaborate to determine operational requirements for specialist and/or significant events
- Dealing with a diverse range of complex and sensitive issues in an environment characterised by conflicting priorities and political and/or social sensitivities
- Establish command structures appropriate to the nature and complexity of the organisation's task(s)
- Collaborate to set clear performance standards and deadlines in line with established performance development frameworks.
Training Advisor
New South Wales State Emergency Service
02.2024 - Current
- Completed training needs analysis for zone training to ensure units within the South East Zone could respond to incidents and events per the NSW SES Act
- In cooperation with peers, managed the development, deployment, monitoring and evaluation of the NSW SES State-Wide Training and Exercise Plan to ensure effective and consistent delivery at the local level
- Consulted with broader training team/s and key business stakeholders, including Zone Commanders, monitoring training and exercises to enable responsiveness to emerging issues and ensure timely development and delivery of appropriate solutions
- Provided advice and analysis to managers and zone commanders on the effectiveness of local State-Wide Training and Exercise Plan delivery to ensure existing and emerging business requirements, impacts and issues were considered in strategic and operational decision-making
- Undertook administration and activities, including budget management and compliance with governance, work health & safety and other requirements to ensure effective, compliant and consistent utilisation of training assets and resources
- Built strong relationships with Unit Commanders and members to ensure their needs were fully understood and reflected in training initiatives and decisions
- Undertook a threat analysis during events, prioritised and set objectives considering the safety of communities and SES personnel as a priority
- Supervised the delivery and assessment of training conducted in the South Eastern Zone aimed to maintain operational capability
- Provided information and issued warnings to communities and other relevant groups so informed decisions could be made
- Ensured effective liaison and cooperation with all relevant agencies, affected communities and others external to the IMT were ongoing
- Ensured relief and recovery considerations were addressed and that services were provided to the persons and communities impacted by the event
- Facilitated media briefings and media interaction during emergency and training events
- Supervise emergency responses as a level 2 and 3 Incident Controller.
Operational Officer Level 2
New South Wales Rural Fire Service
10.2024 - 02.2024
- Completed training needs analysis for district training to ensure brigades within the Shoalhaven District could respond to incidents and events as per the NSW Rural Fires Act
- Coordinated numerous training activities to enable brigade succession planning and career progression of volunteers
- Review WHS incidents and provide advice and recommendations for improvement per the NSW RFS WHS Framework and policies
- Reviewed numerous complaints and grievances made by volunteers or members of the public and provided advice to supervisors or management teams to resolve issues raised
- Liaised with various media agencies, ensuring the local community was provided accurate information during incidents or events
- Initiated the 'Know our volunteers' segment with Power FM to allow the community to relate to our volunteers and promote community messaging about fire safety
- Worked with community groups to dispel concerns identified by the community and empower them to resolve issues identified that could have a negative impact during an emergency incident
- Liaised with internal and external stakeholders to promote fire safety
- Provide advise to local staff for career development
- Perform the duties of an Operations Officer during major fire emergencies
- Assist local brigades in developing community engagement plans
- Participated in community recovery campaigns planned by Resilience NSW.
South Coast Local Manager and Risk and Emergency Coordinator
New South Wales Local Land Services
01.2024 - 10.2024
- I represented the Agricultural and Animal Service Functional Area on the Illawarra Local Emergency Management Committee and at emergency conferences held by other state combat agencies
- I led local operations, built team knowledge of regional issues, and developed and implemented organisational internal control systems, policies, and procedures, including South East Emergency Management Procedures and Frameworks
- I contributed to and implemented the local plan, managed local resources, ensured effective performance monitoring and reporting, and embedded suitable governance protocols
- I initiated and maintained effective relationships within LLS, shared information on relevant issues, delivered system improvements locally, and enhanced the knowledge and skills of customers, investors, and stakeholders through consistent, high-quality educational programs and advisory services
- I prepared correspondence, briefings, and concise reports on local, risk, and emergency matters, promptly advising the General Manager and Manager of Delivery Support of significant issues
- I collaborated with regional colleagues to optimise resource management across all programs and advisory services and negotiated with government agencies, customers, stakeholders, and investors on local issues and community concerns
- I was an Incident Controller for a Level 2 Biosecurity Emergency Event and acted as Operations Manager for AASFA services during bushfires
- I coordinated the development of a Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Committee and reviewed WHS practices, making recommendations per the LLS WHS Framework and policies
- I also supported Local Managers in developing, delivering, monitoring, and evaluating regionally consistent risk reduction strategies and safe work practices.
Corporate Support Manager / Army Warrant Officer / Aircraft Support Manager
DEFENCE AVIATION OPERATIONS
01.2024 - 12.2024
- I was entrusted with providing leadership and administrative support to a highly mobile organisation operating within Australia and abroad
- I led a multi-disciplinary team of over 125 line staff, supervisors, and middle managers
- I managed various human resources functions, including coaching, training, performance appraisals, career development, organisational development, and performance management
- I prepared forecasts, oversaw financial reconciliations, and conducted internal audits to ensure compliance with company policies and relevant legislation
- I monitored operational readiness and implemented necessary changes to ensure the business could meet likely commitments
- I investigated security matters and accidents and developed performance indicators to inform the Board of business unit performance
- As a confidante, I provided the General Manager Operations with information on operational performance, capability development, organisational structure, internal processes, and policy
- As the Aircraft Support Manager, I provided high-level oversight of corporate governance issues and steered support planning for aviation operations
- Additionally, I worked abroad in Afghanistan for seven months, managing support for aircraft operations under challenging conditions.
Education
Diploma - Vocational Education And Training
TAFE NSW
Sydney, NSW10-2020
Diploma - Training Design And Development
TAFE NSW
Sydney, NSW07-2020
Advanced Diploma - Public Safety (Emergency Management)
College For Law, Education And Training
Sydney, NSW01-2017
Advanced Diploma - Leadership And Management
College For Law, Education And Training
Sydney, NSW01-2017
Diploma - Public Safety (Emergency Management)
College For Law, Education And Training
01-2017
Diploma - Government Management
Australian Regular Army
Canberra, ACT08-2015
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Customer Relationship Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Budget Control
- Communication Skills
- Resource Management
- Project Management
- Work Planning and Prioritisation
- Problem-Solving
Workcompetencies
- Leadership
- Operational Planning
- Teamwork & Interpersonal
- Communication Skills
- Resource Management
References
- Chief Superintendent Andrew Cribb, Zone Commander, Northern Zone, 0409 893 673, andrew.cribb@ses.nsw.gov.au
- Chief Superintendent Kate Hawke, Senior Manager Training Delivery, Operational Capability and Training Directorate, 0429 607 673, kate.hawke@ses.nsw.gov.au
Timeline
Operational Officer Level 2
New South Wales Rural Fire Service
10.2024 - 02.2024
Deputy Zone Commander
New South Wales State Emergency Service
08.2024 - 12.2024
Training Advisor
New South Wales State Emergency Service
02.2024 - Current
Training and Resource Manager
New South Wales State Emergency Service
01.2024
South Coast Local Manager and Risk and Emergency Coordinator
New South Wales Local Land Services
01.2024 - 10.2024
Corporate Support Manager / Army Warrant Officer / Aircraft Support Manager
DEFENCE AVIATION OPERATIONS
01.2024 - 12.2024
Diploma - Vocational Education And Training
TAFE NSW
Diploma - Training Design And Development
TAFE NSW
Advanced Diploma - Public Safety (Emergency Management)
College For Law, Education And Training
Advanced Diploma - Leadership And Management
College For Law, Education And Training
Diploma - Public Safety (Emergency Management)
College For Law, Education And Training
Diploma - Government Management
Australian Regular Army
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