LOOKING BACK
CEO REFLECTIONS:
12 MONTHS ON Last year AFAC and FPA Australia began a new era, with Rob Webb and John Kilgour, respectively, starting as CEO. Twelve months later, we’ve asked both to give their perspectives about the organisations they lead.
ROB WEBB AFAC
1. W hat did you know about AFAC before you became CEO?
Spending the previous 12 months on the payroll as AFAC Director National Projects and Innovation helped me to build a picture of the organisation, but my preconceptions of what AFAC was when I looked over from the Bureau of Meteorology were a long way from reality. I had no idea of the length and breadth of where it steps in to support fire and emergency services. As I have been able to connect with more of the membership, I have learned the many ways that AFAC contributes to the emergency management sector, and in turn, how the sector contributes to AFAC.
We are nothing if we aren’t connecting with purpose and leveraging the knowledge across the sector and within industry—together we can meet the challenges of the future. – Rob Webb
2. What have you learned in the role?
Apart from the obvious things about just how complex and professional our sector—paid and volunteer—is, Australia and New Zealand are very lucky to have the committed workforce we have. I have learned to cherish national consistency deeply—it is a hard road because of the complexity of Australia. I suppose I have grown in respect for the sector. It’s an incredibly privileged position to be in rooms full of Australian and New Zealand experts, willingly coming together for the collective good of the community.
PHOTOS: AFAC
3. What are the biggest opportunities?
The key thing for me is connecting and amplifying. There are areas where our members grapple with many of the same problems independently. We are focused on supporting them to maximise their handling of those areas and truly leverage the might of the full sector’s intellect. Therein lies AFAC’s reason for being. This extends into the fire protection industry—if there is one thing we know, many different government agencies, business, and communities contribute to safety. The more we connect people along that value chain, the better the result. ISSUE ONE 2023
FIRE AUSTRALIA
17