Surprise twist as ‘Black Summer’ rural fireys boss wants old job back

He steered the state through the devastating Black Summer bushfires, now former NSW Rural Fire Services commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has reapplied for the job.

Former “Back Summer” bushfire boss Shane Fitzsimmons is hoping for a comeback with the ex-NSW Rural Fire Services commissioner reapplying for his old job.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the NSW Australian of the Year is one of over five applicants who have been interviewed for the NSW RFS commissioner role following the retirement of Rob Rogers in July.

Mr Fitzsimmons won high praise for the calm and steady manner in which he steered the state through the devastating 2019 bushfires.

After the fires, Mr Fitzsimmons accepted a job by former premier Gladys Berejiklian to head up the controversial Resilience NSW before the job was made redundant when the Perrottet government dismantled the agency after the floods crisis.

Asked about the decision at the time, Ms Berejiklian’s successor Dominic Perrottet declared it hadn’t been personal, stating it was “not about personalities”.

The agency was replaced with the Reconstruction Authority.

Shane Fitzsimmons has reapplied to become the NSW Rural Fire Services commissioner. Picture: Supplied

While Mr Fitzsimmons declined to comment about his application, a source close to him said the long-serving volunteer firefighter said he believed he had more to give.

This included taking on some of the new challenges faced by the agency, from preparing for more intense bushfires to driving up volunteer numbers.

NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers is retiring next month. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Mr Fitzsimmons, who has been undertaking consulting work while also volunteering at his local Berowra fire brigade, is also understood to be keen to get involved in what could potentially be one of the biggest restructures of the agency yet.

A state parliamentary inquiry into the assets, premises and funding of the agency has recommended councils transfer ownership of firefighting vehicles and related infrastructure to the NSW RFS.

It also called for a state government audit of the agency’s standing as the state’s primary bush fire response agency.

The Minns government has until November this year to respond to the recommendations.

It is understood the other applicants represent a mix of internal and external candidates, with at least one from interstate.

While Mr Fitzsimmons would represent an easy appointment for the government given his knowledge of the job, the question is whether there is an appetite for someone entirely new.

“Shane would work with any premier and there is no doubt about his track record,” the source said.

“It will be interesting to see what the government will do.”

Mr Rogers, who was the deputy commissioner during the Black Summer fires, announced his retirement in July last year after five years in the job.

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Originally published as Surprise twist as ‘Black Summer’ rural fireys boss wants old job back