Statement on TFS Chief Officer

On behalf of the Tasmanian Government, I thank outgoing Chief Officer Dermot Barry for his service to the Tasmania Fire Service, the State Emergency Service and the Tasmanian community.

Mr Barry has been with the emergency services for 37 years and will be missed by colleagues and volunteers.

Mr Barry oversaw the October 2022 flooding event where we saw in practice what it means for our emergency services to be Stronger Together.

Mr Barry has also overseen the delivery of new equipment to our emergency service, resources to enhance community resilience, and the ongoing reforms to unite our emergency services.

These reforms are based on 5 years of independent reviews, and the Reports from Mr Mike Blake and Mr Michael Stevens.

The Government will continue to implement these reforms that were announced on 24 January 2023.

I thank Mr Barry for his contributions to keeping Tasmanians safe and wish him all the best.

Jeremy Smith will take on the position of Acting Chief Officer. Mr Smith brings 36 years of emergency service experience to the role.