The Victorian Government has today announced Greg Leach AFSM as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES).
Mr Leach brings considerable emergency management expertise to the role, with a career spanning more than three decades working across multiple emergency services agencies in both Victoria and Queensland.
Since December 2019, Mr Leach has served as the Commissioner of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), where he championed emergency services reform and provided exceptional leadership across Queensland’s State Emergency Service (SES), Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) and Rural Fire Service (RFS).
Mr Leach led the QFES through significant operational challenges, including two severe bushfire seasons, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and severe flooding in February and March 2022.
Mr Leach has worked extensively in emergency services throughout Victoria with a career that began in 1986 at the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Bendigo.
His commitment to community safety led him to several senior operational roles during his time at CFA, before serving in executive positions with Ambulance Victoria for eight years.
Mr Leach joined the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade (now Fire Rescue Victoria) in 2014 as Deputy Chief Officer and Executive Director, Organisational Learning and Development, where he helped lead the implementation of fire services reform. He also served as the Acting Chief Officer and Chief Executive during his tenure with MFB.
Mr Leach commences in the role on Monday 4 December 2023. He succeeds Stephen Griffin who has served as VICSES CEO since 2014, overseeing some of the largest changes and emergencies in VICSES’ history.
As stated by Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes
“I congratulate Greg Leach AFSM on his appointment as the Victoria State Emergency Service’s Chief Executive Officer and look forward to working closely with him.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to again thank Stephen Griffin for his outstanding leadership and hard work at VICSES over the last decade.”
As stated by incoming VICSES CEO Greg Leach AFSM
“I am honored to lead VICSES and look forward to working alongside its dedicated volunteers and staff to continue putting the safety of Victorians first.”
“VICSES plays a crucial role in Victoria’s emergency preparedness and response, and I will ensure it remains a progressive and agile leader in the sector.”
