Sitrep 55/2023 – Welcome Commissioner Fewtrell

October 30, 2023

FBEU welcomes Commissioner Fewtrell

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of our membership, to congratulate long-time FBEU Member Jeremy Fewtrell on his appointment as the new FRNSW Commissioner. As a firefighter and FBEU member for almost three decades, I’m sure you are all familiar with Jeremy’s accomplishments throughout his 27-year career in NSWFB/FRNSW.

We are pleased that the selection committee has relieved us of the leadership style of our previous Commissioner, whose decisions showed how far removed his priorities were from the longevity of our Brigade, the wellbeing of firefighters, and the safety of our communities.

To say the new Commissioner inherits challenges in his new role is an understatement. Twelve years of underfunding, poor management, misplaced priorities and a culture that disrespects firefighters underpin the myriad of issues plaguing FRNSW.

Commissioner Fewtrell inherits an aging fleet, hundreds of stations that are toxic to firefighters and not fit for purpose, an overstretched Fleet team, a diminished workforce, an underfunded training department, and a culture that is disrespectful to firefighters.

As a career-long FBEU member, and previous member of our State Committee of Management, we look forward to working with Commissioner Fewtrell on the challenges ahead with the needs of firefighters first and foremost. The FBEU are firefighters, and firefighters are the FBEU. To characterise us in any other way, as our previous Commissioner did, is disrespectful to both professional firefighters and the communities we protect.

In Unity,

Leighton Drury
State Secretary

 

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