From today I take on the role of Interim CEO of CFA, a position that's both a privilege and a challenge.
While change is a constant for us, our mission remains the same – to protect lives and property.
As we enter a hot February, with the summer fire season far from over and higher temperatures expected for the next week, we must keep our focus on our mission.
CFA is a great organisation, and a highly complex one. As Mick Bourke said when he took on the job of CEO six years ago, we will continue to grow and improve.
CFA Chair Claire Higgins yesterday paid tribute to Mick's hard work and commitment through a period of enormous change and challenges, including the response to the 2009 Victorian bushfires and the Royal Commission, and emergency management reforms across the sector.
Six years on we have in place better warnings and advice for communities, our people are safer through measures such as crew protection in all our fleet, and our firefighting capability has been boosted.
On behalf of the Executive Leadership Team, I pay tribute to and recognise Mick's achievements and leadership. He will be greatly missed at CFA.
He leaves behind a strong and committed leadership team, and we know there is more work to do.
We will continue the work we've started on CFA's cultural change program, and in restructuring, which has seen us move from eight to five regions, appoint five new Assistant Chief Officers, and adopt a new model for delivering support to the front-line.
We'll continue to work closely with Emergency Management Victoria, a partnership that is strengthening.
And most importantly, we will continue to support all our members, who work so hard for the Victorian community.
Nigel McCormick will be acting in my role as Executive Director Business Services.
Regards
Michael Wootten
Interim CEO
About Michael
Michael began at CFA in December 2001 in the position of Director Finance & Administration. In December 2011 he was appointed to his current role of Executive Director Business Services with responsibility for CFA’s Financial Services, ICT Services, Technical Asset Services, Assets Strategy and Land and Building Services.
He commenced his working career with the Australian Taxation Office in 1981, followed by executive positions in the Victorian water industry between 1995 and 2001.
Michael is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Author: Michael Wootten