Firefighters furious QFES commissioner absent from memorial for Izabella “Izzy” Nash
Some firefighters have expressed anger the Queensland fire commissioner viewed a state memorial service for fallen firefighter Izabella “Izzy” Nash online instead of appearing in person.
Emergency Services
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Firefighters are furious after their commissioner did not attend a state memorial service honouring the life of Izabella “Izzy” Nash who died in a fire earlier this month, the first such tragedy in nearly 30 years.
Monday’s service saw fire commissioners from around the country attend, as well as Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll, who previously served as the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Deputy Premier Steven Miles, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli also attended.
Ms Nash, 46, died in hospital after running out of air while at a factory fire in Slacks Creek in Logan, south of Brisbane, on May 2.
Her colleague Lia Drew was seriously injured in the same fire and faces a lengthy recovery.
It was the most serious tragedy to strike the fire service since Gold Coast firefighters Noel Watson and Herbie Fennell were killed battling a blaze in 1994.
Asked whether QFES Commissioner Greg Leach wanted to provide an explanation as to why he was not at the service, a QFES spokesman said: “Commissioner Greg Leach has been on leave since April 26. During this time, he has been out of the country and not able to return.”
The Courier-Mail has viewed messages circulated from upset staff members.
One spoke of their disappointment the commissioner did not attend “the greatest tragedy to occur to the organisation in the last 20 years”.
“We as a family rely on our leaders to offer a face to our organisation, to demonstrate the support we have for each other, and to shield us from the white noise that comes with this sort of event,” the officer said.
One senior firefighter said “it was worse than the Prime Minister going missing during a disaster”.
“If he was anywhere other than on the summit of Everest, he should be there,” he said.
The QFES spokesman said Mr Leach had been “in frequent contact with the Acting Commissioner since the tragic death of Izabella Nash and serious injury to Lia Drew”.
“Mr Leach has specifically enquired, and been briefed on, Lia’s recovery, the ongoing support for Izzy and Lia’s families, the welfare of all personnel involved in the incident and the QFES’ plans to honour Izzy at the memorial service,” he said.
Mr Leach sent an all-staff email on Monday morning ahead of the memorial service, expressing his sorrow at the loss of Ms Nash.
“Like many of you, I’m unable to attend today’s Memorial Service for Firefighter First Class Izzy Nash in person,” he wrote.
“However, I will be joining the many people – QFES personnel, interstate and overseas firefighters, colleagues in emergency services from around Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere – who will be viewing the service on livestream.
“As I watch the service, my thoughts will be with Izzy’s family, her partner Bec and all those who were closest to her.”
Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing delivered the Commissioner’s Address at the service.
Mr Leach came to Queensland from Victoria, where he had a career in emergency services spanning decades.
He joined QFES in December 2019, when he was appointed Commissioner.
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