Gavin Freeman AFSM has been appointed as the permanent Commissioner of Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).
Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes today announced Mr Freeman’s appointment to the role for five years, effective from today.
Mr Freeman is a highly experienced leader with more than 35 years’ experience in emergency management and fire services.
Mr Freeman was a Victorian State Response Controller during the 2019/20 bushfire season and has been deployed across Australia and internationally in response to major fires.
Mr Freeman also spent more than 30 years in the Tasmania Fire Service, where he held several senior roles including Deputy Chief Officer and was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in 2011.
Prior to this appointment, Mr Freeman held the position of Deputy Commissioner – Operations at FRV and has been Acting Commissioner since March 2023. Previously he held the position of Deputy Chief Officer with the Country Fire Authority.
FRV was established in July 2020 and has brought together the state’s career firefighters under a single organisation, while restoring CFA to a community-based, volunteer firefighting organisation..
As stated by Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes
“I am very pleased to announce Gavin Freeman’sappointment as Victoria’s new Fire Rescue Commissioner and look forward to working closely with him in this critical role to protect Victorians during emergencies.”
“Mr Freeman is a highly experienced leader within Victoria’s emergency management sector and his extensive experience and qualifications will be essential in his leadership of FRV.”
