ACT Rural Fire Service Chief Fire Officer Rohan Scott. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
After leading the ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS) in an acting capacity since April last year, Rohan Scott has been officially appointed Chief Officer of the ACTRFS following the retirement of former Chief Officer Joe Murphy in April 2020.
Mr Scott also led the organisation through a lengthy review process since the Orroral Valley fire in which some sections of the RFS were outspoken about how the bushfire should have been managed.
Mr Scott said he looks forward to continuing the path the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ACTESA) has set for the future of the ACTRFS, with priorities focusing on volunteers, training and equipment.
“The ACTRFS is an organisation that has been a part of my life for a very long time,” Mr Scott said.
“I’m looking forward to supporting our members and continuing to build a service ready for the environmental challenges ahead.”
ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna Ian Walker, general manager of the ACT Ambulance Service Matt Smith, and then acting chief officer of the ACT Rural Fire Service Rohan Scott address the media in December 2019. Photo: Michael Weaver.
After almost one year since the Orroral Valley fire began on 27 January, Mr Scott will again be instrumental in ensuring the strategies for managing potentially fast-moving grass fires this season are robust.
Announcing the appointment, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman said Mr Scott brings experience from the devastating 2003 and 2020 seasons and will continue to ensure Canberrans are well protected during bushfires.
“After diligently leading the ACTRFS over the past 12 months, I am very pleased that Rohan will continue substantively in the role over the next five years,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Rohan has more than 20 years of local and interstate firefighting experience. He was on the frontline during the 2001 Christmas fires and the devastating 2003 Canberra firestorm and filled critical incident controller and operations officer roles during the 2020 Beard and Orroral Valley fires.
“Starting his ACTRFS career in Molonglo Brigade, Rohan has held volunteer positions including president, deputy, senior deputy and captain.
“Most recently, he was a senior member of ACTRFS Headquarters staff as director of operations before taking on the role of acting chief.”
ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Georgeina Whelan also welcomed Mr Scott to the role following a competitive recruitment process.
“Taking the reins of the ACTRFS after our worst ever bushfire season presented many challenges and opportunities,” Commissioner Whelan said.
“Rohan has done an outstanding job in engaging our RFS volunteers and readying them for the 2020-21 bushfire season.”
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