'We want to do better': Interim Commissioner ready to create more unified Emergency Services Agency

The next 12 months will be a challenge for the ACT Emergency Services Agency’s (ESA) new interim Commissioner Wayne Phillips as he juggles preparations for the hazard season and implements the 18 recommendations from the Walker Review.

However, he’s keen to step up and improve the agency – and wants to bring everyone along for the journey.

Tensions in the ESA executive were put under the microscope during a three-month independent investigation that found a “chaotic environment” and a “culture of blame and fear” at the agency.

Unions labelled the review an “axe job” as it didn’t identify the members of the executive who were causing problems, but it did lead to then-Commissioner Georgeina Whelan announcing her resignation to allow for a “reset” of the agency.

Mr Phillips started at the ESA as its Assistant Commissioner of Corporate in March 2022. His responsibilities included people and culture, training, health and wellbeing, mental health, finance, procurement and resourcing.

He started in the interim Commissioner role at the start of October and said work was already underway to implement the review’s 18 recommendations.

“We have a roadmap now to work through with the Oversight Committee … in partnership with the executives and the chiefs here to fulfil the recommendations,” Mr Phillips said.

“We’re listening and we want to do better.”

Union, staff and volunteer representatives are also part of the conversations.

Mr Phillips said it was important for everyone to have their voices heard as he felt collaboration would help to ensure a better ESA.

“I think communicating with people with what’s involved, [telling them] what are the next steps, that builds confidence and builds trust, and so I think communication and trust are the bedrock of that,” he said.

“At the end of it, [I want to] have this as a more united place where people feel like they belong.”

Mr Phillips has an extensive history in emergency services, starting as a firefighter with NSW Fire and Rescue 32 years ago.

He moved his way through the ranks, including being an incident commander on jobs such as factory fires, being deployed during bushfires, as NSW Fire and Rescue’s state coordinator during flood deployments from 2014, and working during the Black Summer bushfires liaising with NSW RFS and deploying resources across the state.

He eventually became a Chief Superintendent with NSW Fire and Rescue before wanting to test his skills in a new agency.

Mr Phillips described “transparency and communication” as his most important values, and he wants to use that passion to bring the ESA forward.

“Being empathic and compassionate, I think, are some of the major, foremost values of a leader, and if I can do anything [in this role], it will be to ensure that all our staff – not just paid staff but our volunteers – are informed along that journey that we’re going to experience for the next six to 12 months,” he said.

Alongside ensuring the review’s recommendations are implemented, Mr Phillips must coordinate the agency throughout the hazards season, with the Territory expected to experience more grass and bushfires this year.

However, he’s confident the agency has the support and commitment to deliver both aspects of the job to the highest standard.

“If you’re committed, you’ll make the time to get the job done, [be it] the response this summer or in regards to making the change in the ESA,” Mr Phillips said.

“[I want to be] providing transparency and clarity, that sense of belonging to all our people, both in this building, in fire stations, ambulance stations, and RFS and SES sheds as well.”

In emergency management, his first aspiration is for everyone to have a safe summer.

“My dream would be that we wouldn’t have any bushfires this year or floods,” Mr Phillips said.

“But being a realist, I want to make sure that we’re well prepared and we’ll fulfil the expectations that the community has for us.”

The Walker Review emphasised that, despite the executive’s tensions and the agency’s internal structural issues, the community should be proud and confident in its first responders.

“The community can go into the summer feeling very confident that they have the best volunteers, the best-paid staff, firefighters, paramedics, who will do their best, with the training and equipment they’ve got, to lessen the impact this summer,” Mr Phillips said.

“Here in the ACT, we have really well-equipped, well-trained volunteers and staff, from our paramedics, Fire and Rescue, RFS and SES.”

But no matter how prepared our first responders are for an emergency, Mr Phillips also urged the community to be ready.

“It’s not just waiting for us to do something. It’s about doing something for yourself – being prepared, knowing our ESA website, knowing if you’re on the fringe of a grass or bush area that you have your yard cleaned and your gutters cleaned, having stuff to pack up in your car and get out when you can,” he said.

“They’re the things that we can’t do on the day, but they’re the things we want the community to understand and know – without putting fear in the community, but really having them informed and educated.”