Appointment of new DFES Deputy Commissioner

Deputy Commissioner Waters has over 25 years’ experience with the emergency services sector, starting as a career firefighter in 1993, where he was dux of the school.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Klemm AFSM said his wealth of knowledge and experience will be a huge asset to the role.

“Deputy Commissioner Waters is a certified Level 3 Incident Controller, and has overseen many complex, large scale emergencies spanning from major structure fires, cyclones and numerous bushfires including Parkerville, Bullsbrook, Northcliffe, Esperance and Waroona,” Commissioner Klemm said.

“He has also been instrumental in implementing a number of key initiatives across DFES including working collaboratively with other agencies on the integration of the Departments new Computer Aided Dispatch system; the introduction of a Heavy Rescue cache for aerial deployments to regional road crash incidents and the launch of the Strategic Aerial Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability which has significantly improved mapping of landscape fires and flooding.”

“Deputy Commissioner Waters has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic judgement and accountability and I’m confident WA will be in safe hands with him leading operations when the next emergency strikes.”

The Deputy Commissioner Operations is responsible for all operational matters across DFES including firefighting, natural hazards, marine services, aviation, special operations and state operations.

Deputy Commissioner Waters’ will be appointed for a five-year term and will commence in this role on 2 July 2019.

For more information about DFES visit dfes.wa.gov.au