NSW Fire and Rescue is on the hunt for a new Commissioner with the announcement that Paul Baxter will be leaving the post.
Mr Baxter finishes up this week after six years in the top role.
Emergency minister Jihad Dib said it was the right time to bring new leadership to guide the organisation into the future as if face challenges around financial sustainability and organisational direction.
“I thank Paul Baxter for his service and contribution to FRNSW over recent years, as our frontline crews and other staff have continued their outstanding work to keep the people of NSW safe,” the minister said in a statement on Monday.
Mr Baxter was appointed in 2017 after serving as National Commander and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Fire Service and the National Rural Fire Authority.
A recruitment process for a new Commissioner will commence shortly.
Deputy Commissioner Megan Stiffler will continue to act as Commissioner until 19 July 2023, with Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell then acting in the role from 20 July.
The announcement follows media reports of a series of problems within Fire and Rescue NSW, including maintenance gaps, ageing assets, lack of funding and increasing reliance on consultants.
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In NSW we have two organisations responsible for putting out fires, The RFS (volunteers mostly) and F&R.(all paid). In NSW we have five organisations responsible for rescue. The SES (volunteer), the VRA (volunteer), Police Rescue (paid) , Ambulance Rescue (paid) and F&R (paid).
All these organisations are funded by the poor taxpayer through your insurance payments. Surely there must be room for some sort of rationalisation to save a dollar or two.