On Thursday June 26 Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib announced he has appointed a new Commissioner, Trent Curtin, to lead the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS).
Former Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Rob Rogers announced he would retire from the role at the end of the coming bush fire season on July 11 2024, after almost five years leading the emergency service agency, but has continued in the role, including the second annual Emergency Services Match held on June 22 2025.
The RFS is the lead emergency service agency in NSW for bushfires, providing support for communities through its 70,000 volunteer members across a network of almost 2,000 brigades.
The RFS also provides fire and emergency services to protect homes, attend motor vehicle incidents and during search and rescue operations. The RFS works closely with other emergency services in responding to emergencies and natural disasters including recent events like Cyclone Alfred and the mid-north coast floods.
Mr Curtin commenced his career 30 years ago as a volunteer firefighter with the Country Fire Authority in Victoria and has served in senior leadership roles in the emergency services in both Victoria and NSW. These roles included Acting Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner at Fire and Rescue NSW with responsibility for Community Fire Unit volunteers. He also served as Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Fire Rescue Victoria between 2015 and 2020.
Commissioner Trent Curtin. Photo: NSW Government
Mr Curtin has extensive experience battling major fires, floods and coordinating large-scale responses involving multiple agencies to significant emergency incidents.
The incoming Commissioner will also bring to the RFS a strong track record in crisis management, organisational strategy and a lifelong commitment to safety. He joins the RFS from SafeWork NSW where, as head of SafeWork, he led efforts to reestablish the agency as a strong and independent work health and safety regulator.
The appointment follows a competitive recruitment process undertaken by the Department of Communities and Justice. Mr Curtin will take up his role as Commissioner from Monday, 14 July 2025.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“I am pleased to announce Trent Curtin will be the new Commissioner of the NSW RFS.
“Mr Curtin has extensive experience as an emergency services leader in NSW and Victoria, where he has been involved in managing significant fires and large-scale natural disasters and working with volunteers.
“RFS volunteers are at the forefront of the State’s natural disaster response. From the 2019-20 bushfires to more recent flood events, they are a reassuring presence for communities in need.
“Mr Curtin started his firefighting career 30 years ago as a volunteer and I look forward to working with him as he brings his emergency service expertise to an organisation at the frontline of bushfire response.
“I thank the outgoing Commissioner Rob Rogers, who will finish in the role on 4 July.”
Incoming Commissioner for NSW RFS Trent Curtin said:
“Having spent most of my life as a firefighter, I am honoured to be appointed Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service and to work alongside the committed volunteers and staff who represent the very best of community spirit.
“The RFS plays a vital role in our communities, responding in the most difficult circumstances to help others in their time of need.
“I look forward to honouring the legacy of the RFS as a community-centred agency, while ensuring we remain ready to meet the challenge of more frequent and intense natural disasters.”
Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM - 45 Years of Service
Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM first became involved with the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) in 1979 as a teenage volunteer member of the Belrose Rural Fire Brigade, becoming Captain of the at Belrose before being appointed Deputy Fire Control Officer for the Greater Taree District in 1995.
Mr Rogers has held various executive roles in the NSW RFS since 2001, including responsibility for Regional Management, Community Safety and Operations.
In 2011 he was appointed Deputy Commissioner.
He has represented the NSW RFS on national and state bodies including: Chair of the Australian Fire Danger Ratings Board; Chair of the State Bush Fire Arson Taskforce; Chair of the Aviation Industry Reference Group and Aviation Advisory Committee; Co-chair of the Incident Management Road Safety Working Group; and Co-chair of the Joint Operations Taskforce.
During the most recent devastating fire season, Commissioner Rogers, oversaw the statewide response to more than 11,400 bush and grass fires that burnt more than 5.5 million hectares, destroyed 2,448 homes and tragically took 25 lives.
As Commissioner, he has led the transformation of the RFS, introducing innovations such as the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System, Artificial Intelligence, enhanced community safety through new Bush Fire Risk Management Plans, technological advancement and improved personal protection for volunteers, and world class aerial firefighting capabilities.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said:
“I thank Commissioner Rob Rogers for his service to the RFS and to the NSW community, not only during his time as the leader of an iconic volunteer emergency service, but also throughout his public service career.”
“While championing the independence of the organisation and its history, the Commissioner has also demonstrated how emergency services can work together through support for the SES during the 2022 and 2025 floods and his work with other emergency service agencies.”
“As Commissioner, he has focused on the development of new and enhanced RFS capabilities and on ensuring volunteers have the resources and equipment they need to perform their roles and return home safely.”
“The RFS and its volunteers are crucial to our bush firefighting efforts and for 45 years Rob Rogers has been dedicated to the service. He has stood with firefighters through some of the most challenging bush fire seasons the State has seen and the NSW Government will continue to ensure volunteers are supported in their efforts to protect the community.”
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers and NSW Emergency Services Minister The Hon. Jihad Dib
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said:
“It has been a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated individuals and witness their unwavering commitment to protecting our communities.”
“I have a deep sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our State.”
“The resilience and spirit of our 70,000-plus members inspire me every day and I am confident that they will continue to uphold the values of courage and service that define the RFS.”
Commissioner Rogers was awarded the National Medal in 1995 and the Australian Fire Service Medal in 2004.
Commissioner Rogers was formally appointed to the role of Commissioner in July 2020.
He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Kim, two children and two grandchildren, and will, no doubt, put his considerable knowledge and skills into some other endeavour.
