Collene Bremner appointed acting commissioner of NTFES, current commissioner flies to Antarctica
An experienced public servant has been appointed as Acting Commissioner of the NT Fire and Emergency Service, with current Commissioner Andrew Warton off to Antarctica.
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Experienced public servant Collene Bremner has been appointed Acting Commissioner of NT Fire and Emergency Services (NTFES) effective February 15, with current Commissioner Andrew Warton off for a sabbatical in Antarctica.
Ms Bremner, who has served as the executive director of Bushfires NT since 2016, brings more than 20 years of experiences in the NT public service.
Throughout her career, Ms Bremner has held numerous senior roles, including as Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Emergency Management Recovery Sub-Committee, the NT representative on the Australian and New Zealand Emergency Management Committee, and as a board member of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre.
In the meantime, current commissioner Mr Warton is taking extended leave to embark on a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience as a station leader at Australia’s Casey Research Station in Antarctica.
There, he will lead a team of expeditioners and support scientific research through the Antarctic winter.
Casey Station is one of three Australian research stations in Antarctica.
Due to the length of the selection process and how far in advance applications are taken, this secondment was a known factor when Mr Warton was appointed Commissioner NT Fire and Emergency Services in 2024.
During his sabbatical, Mr Warton will remain in contact with NTFES staff and volunteers and provide regular updates to his team during his time away.
Acting arrangements will remain in place until Mr Warton’s return later in the year, depending on the logistics of accessing Casey Research Station during the Antarctic winter.
Mr Warton said he was excited to develop his leadership skills in Antarctica and bring his experiences back to the Territory.
“Leading an emergency services organisation and an Antarctic station may seem worlds apart, but both rely on teamwork, resilience, recognition of community and a commitment to something bigger than ourselves”, he said.
“It is an honour to lead the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services and I’m grateful for the opportunity to undertake this short-term experience, and to bring new perspectives on leadership back to the Northern Territory.”
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