As emergency services crews continue to work around the clock following Tropical Cyclone Fina, the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services (NTFES) has welcomed back Commissioner Andy Warton, and is announcing the recent appointments of new deputies who have played a key role in strengthening the agency's response capabilities.
Mr Adam White commenced as NT Emergency Service (NTES) Deputy Chief Officer for Operations at the start of the month, on a 6-month appointment from Defence. He's played a crucial role in leading the operational response and recovery efforts of NTES crews during Tropical Cyclone Fina.
Mr White has spent 21 years with the Australian Army, progressing to the rank of Major, and has served in the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, ACT as well as overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. He's received a long list of awards and accolades, including the Australian Active Service Medal - ICAT Clasp, ACT Emergency Medal 2003 Bushfires and US Department of the Navy Commendation Medal.
Mr Greg Jarvis commenced as the NTES Deputy Chief Officer for Emergency Management earlier this month, following a stint as the Acting Chief Officer earlier this year. Mr Jarvis brings over 25 years of policing and emergency management experience to the role, with 17 of those being served here in the NT. As a former police officer, Mr Jarvis has worked across Darwin, Tennant Creek, Warruwi and Nhulunbuy, and served as Deputy Incident Controller at the Territory Emergency Operations Centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, he worked as the Director of Emergency Recovery with the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet.
During Tropical Cyclone Fina, Mr Jarvis resumed his role as Deputy Incident Controller at the Emergency Operations Centre, providing critical support to the Territory Emergency Management Council in its decision-making, and was directly involved in guiding and supporting NTES volunteers and staff as they undertook clean-up operations across Darwin.
Mr Wayne Green has returned to the NT Fire and Rescue Service, (NTFRS) appointed as Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Territory Operations last month, and bringing with him nearly three decades of distinguished service in emergency management. Mr Green began his career as a recruit firefighter with the NTFRS in 1998, before joining Western Australia's Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) in 2002 - now known as the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). Over the past 23 years, he built a reputation for operational excellence, culminating in his role as Superintendent for DFES's Great Southern region.
Mr Green has played key roles in major incident responses including Cyclones Seroja and Owen, along with significant bushfire emergencies throughout Western Australia, and during Cyclone Fina, he led the operational response of NTFRS crews.
Acting Commissioner for NT Fire and Emergency Services Collene Bremner has been working side by side with Mr Warton to ensure a smooth transition back into the agency ahead of her retirement.
Quotes from Commissioner for NT Fire and Emergency Service, Andy Warton:
"From the icy extremes of Casey Station in Antarctica, to returning to the Top End ahead of a category 3 cyclone, every emergency presents different challenges but there are also parallels. Down South we were prepared and capable of responding as a resilient Station, the same is true here in the Northern Territory."
"In the space of the last two weeks I've witnessed an Antarctic blizzard and a tropical cyclone. It's a stark reminder of mother nature's power, but also the power of communities to work together and overcome through challenging events."
"NT Fire and Emergency Services plays a critical role in keeping our community safe and resilient. I'm looking forward to ensuring our agency continues to grow, supporting a resilient Northern Territory."
Quotes from NTES Deputy Chief Officer - Operations, Adam White:
"During my two decades with Defence, I've led key operations and I'm honoured to bring this knowledge and these skills across to NTES."
"I want to thank all of the staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly during preparations, impact and recovery efforts, to ensure our community has stayed safe and informed throughout the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Fina."
Quotes from NTES Deputy Chief Officer - Emergency Management, Greg Jarvis:
"After such a rewarding experience with the NT Emergency Service earlier this year, I'm happy to have returned permanently."
"I look forward to continuing to work with the team in strengthening the Northern Territory disaster resilience and emergency management capability."
Quotes from NTFRS Deputy Chief Fire Officer - Territory Operations, Wayne Green:
"It's an honour to return to the Top End where I began my firefighting career almost three decades ago, to serve as the Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Territory Operations."
"With a deep understanding of the challenges posed by one of Australia's most diverse and remote landscapes, I'm eager to get to work and enhance the future of fire and rescue services across the Northern Territory."
