New Area Commander for Sydney fire stations
Published: 1st August 2007
NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) Commissioner Greg Mullins AFSM today announced the appointment of Chief Superintendent Jim Hamilton AFSM to the position of Area Commander for some of Sydney’s busiest fire stations.Chief Superintendent Hamilton will be responsible for 40 fire stations and 1,200 firefighters covering Sydney's CBD, northern suburbs and inner west extending as far as Revesby in the south west.
Commissioner Mullins said Chief Superintendent Hamilton was an experienced fire officer with more than two decades of service in the NSWFB.
"Chief Superintendent Hamilton has served in the NSWFB for 27 years and brings extensive operational and management experience to the role of Area Commander. He is an asset to the NSWFB and I have the utmost confidence in his ability to undertake this crucial role which will include responsibility for the NSWFB's involvement in two major upcoming events – APEC and World Youth Day."
Chief Superintendent Hamilton said he was looking forward to the new position and the challenges that lie ahead.
"I will be working to ensure the NSWFB continues to deliver the excellent standard of protection that the community has come to expect from our firefighters.
"Firefighters do much more than just fight fires. They respond to hazardous material spills, provide rescue and recovery services as well as undertake vital preparedness and prevention work.
"Firefighters also have an important role in educating the community about fire safety, including highlighting the importance of smoke alarms and escape plans in the home."
Chief Superintendent Hamilton joined the NSWFB in 1980 and served at numerous fire stations including The Rocks and Crows Nest, before becoming an Instructor at the NSWFB State Training College at Alexandria. Chief Superintendent Hamilton was in charge of the Hazardous Materials Response Unit in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, was Manager Operational Readiness and for the last six years worked as the Assistant Director for Specialised Operations. In this capacity Chief Superintendent Hamilton was responsible for the development of the NSW Fire Brigades Counter Terrorism capability, especially against chemical, biological and radiological events. For this work Chief Superintendent Hamilton was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal and the Premiers Emergency Services Award.
Chief Superintendent Hamilton replaces Chief Superintendent Roger Bucholtz AFSM, who retired last week after 41 years of dedicated service with the NSWFB.