Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Rob Rogers will retire from the role at the end of the coming bush fire season, after almost five years leading the emergency service agency.
Commissioner Rogers has been a member of the RFS for 45 years since becoming a volunteer member of the Belrose Rural Fire Brigade in 1979, before joining the salaried ranks as Deputy Fire Control Officer for the Greater Taree District in 1995.
He was appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2011 and Commissioner in July 2020. As the Deputy Commissioner he played a pivotal role in the statewide response to the 2019-20 bush fires.
Commissioner Rogers will continue in the role until the end of the official Bush Fire Danger Period in early 2025, supporting the transition to new leadership.
As Commissioner, he has led the transformation of the RFS, introducing innovations such as the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System, Artificial Intelligence, enhanced community safety through new Bush Fire Risk Management Plans, technological advancement and improved personal protection for volunteers, and world class aerial firefighting capabilities.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said:
"I thank Commissioner Rob Rogers for his service to the RFS and to the NSW community, not only during his time as the leader of an iconic volunteer emergency service, but also throughout his public service career."
"While championing the independence of the organisation and its history, the Commissioner has also demonstrated how emergency services can work together through support for the SES during the 2022 floods and his work with other emergency service agencies."
"As Commissioner, he has focused on the development of new and enhanced RFS capabilities and on ensuring volunteers have the resources and equipment they need to perform their roles and return home safely."
"The RFS and its volunteers are crucial to our bush firefighting efforts and for 45 years Rob Rogers has been dedicated to the service. He has stood with firefighters through some of the most challenging bush fire seasons the State has seen and the NSW Government will continue to ensure volunteers are supported in their efforts to protect the community."
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said:
"It has been a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated individuals and witness their unwavering commitment to protecting our communities."
"I have a deep sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our State."
"The resilience and spirit of our 70,000-plus members inspire me every day and I am confident that they will continue to uphold the values of courage and service that define the RFS."
