NSWFB appoints new Zone Commander
Published: 24th April 2007
NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) Assistant Commissioner Mark Brown, Director of Regional Operations, today announced the appointment of Superintendent Gary Picken to the position of Zone Commander, Regional South 2.Based in Goulburn, Superintendent Picken will be responsible for an area stretching from Cootamundra in the west to Gundagai in the southwest and Forbes in the northwest. He will be responsible for 15 fire stations and approximately 226 full-time and on-call firefighters and administrative staff.
Mr Brown said that Superintendent Picken was an experienced fire officer with over two decades service in the NSWFB.
“Superintendent Picken has been a firefighter for over 23 years. He has extensive operational experience and was awarded the Unit Commendation for Meritorious Service in 2000 for his bravery and quick-thinking at an incident in Cabramatta which saved a man’s life,” Mr Brown said.
Superintendent Picken said that he would be working towards achieving a number of objectives for the NSWFB.
“I want to further progress the NSWFB commitment to community safety through community engagement and education.
“I will also be working closely with other emergency services to plan and prepare for emergencies, and to further enhance the quality of service we provide to the community,” Superintendent Picken said.
Prior to being appointed Zone Commander, Superintendent Picken was Duty Commander in Sydney’s southwest zone. He was also based at stations in Parramatta, Liverpool and Cabramatta for a number of years.
He attended a number a major incidents including bushfires in Parkes in 1994 and the Blue Mountains in 2003 and 2006, and numerous hazardous materials and fire incidents around Liverpool, Cabramatta, and Campbelltown.
Superintendent Picken recently completed a Masters Degree in Public Administration at the University of Sydney and has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Sydney. He also completed a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management from the Australian College of Police Management.
Superintendent Picken lives in Wingello with his partner and son.