NSW Rural Fire Service seeks CIO

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is seeking a new chief information officer (CIO) following the departure of John Danson on January 14.

Formally the director, information communications technology, the role’s responsibilities stretch all the way from headquarters' decision-making systems out to supporting the RFS’ field operations and 72,000 volunteers.

The position description explains that the CIO has a budget of around $55 million annually, and reports to the executive director technology, finance and legal.

One of the CIO’s key external relationships will be with the NSW Telco Authority, which is currently in the process of assuming responsibility for all public safety radio communications.

An RFS spokesperson told iTnews that the focus of the incoming chief information officer "will be to finalise the delivery of the RFS digital transformation agenda, and then effectively transition into a business-as-usual of our ICT environment and systems that effectively support our members and protects the community of NSW.”

According to the RFS’s 2022-2023 annual report [pdf], one of the service’s key technology initiatives is the rollout of “next generation” bushfire risk management plans around the state.

Other initiatives the CIO will oversee will include ongoing enhancements to the member availability and response system, as well as an ongoing expansion of the computer aided dispatch system.

Current CIO Danson has been in the position since December 2020, having joined the RFS from Deloitte.

“John has left a lasting legacy with the RFS, having driven a substantial digital transformation agenda that continues,” the RFS spokesperson told iTnews.

“His outcomes include the deployment of mobile data terminals to the RFS fleet (the implementation continues), implementation of the Athena Bush Fire Intelligence system, delivery of enhanced field-based mapping solutions for members, enhancement to airborne intelligence capability and implementation of emergency logistics solutions.”

Danson is now the CIO of St Augustine's College in Sydney, according to his LinkedIn profile.