Western Australian Police assistant commissioner Wayne Gregson has been appointed as chief executive of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority for the next 12 months.
Premier Colin Barnett said the appointment of Mr Gregson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Perth Hills Bushfire Review.
““Mr Gregson has the skills and experience to prepare the State for the bushfire season, to implement the Perth Hills Bushfire Review recommendations and most importantly, work with all stakeholders in emergency management to prepare and eventually respond for any disaster which occurs.”
Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson said Mr Gregson was well known for taking a proactive response to his role at WA Police.
“I look forward to working with him as we continue to reform Emergency Management and Response,” Mr Johnson said.
The Premier said the State Government had moved on one of the key recommendations of the review, which was undertaken by former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty, with approval to draft legislation to restructure FESA to become a Government department.
“An assessment will be undertaken of an appropriate role and structure of the department and the FESA board will be disbanded,” Mr Barnett said.
“The new position of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner will also be created and have command and control capabilities akin to a police commissioner. This appointment will be a uniformed officer reporting directly to the Emergency Services Minister.”
Mr Gregson first joined WA Police as cadet in 1979, and has been assistant commissioner for the past seven years.
Opposition spokesperson for Emergency Services, Margaret Quirk, said the appointment for just 12 months raised a number of issues.
"The fact that this appointment is temporary sends the wrong signal to those within FESA who are resistant to change," Ms Quirk said in a statement.
"It is clear from the Keelty report and previous reports that fundamental systemic change needs to occur and there is no way this can be achieved in just 12 months."
Ms Quirk also said the appointment of Mr Gregson would leave a vacancy at WA Police that may be difficult to fill.
"The pool of possible replacements of similar ability as Mr Gregson is not inexhaustible," she said.
Ms Quirk said in reframing FESA and the new legislative framework behind it she hoped Mr Gregson would consult widely so that all stakeholders feel included in the process.
"We wish Mr Gregson success in his difficult undertaking," Ms Quirk said.
