Greg Leach AFSM (centre) will serve as the next CEO of the Victoria State Emergency Service. Photo: Twitter/X.
Greg Leach AFSM has been announced as the next CEO of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) by the Victorian Government.
The appointment returns Mr Leach and his considerable emergency management expertise to the state where he began his career more than three decades ago.
He started at the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in the regional city of Bendigo in 1986 before serving in several senior operational and executive roles in Victoria and Queensland.
Most recently, Mr Leach helmed Queensland Fire and Emergency Services through significant challenges as its commissioner for the four years since 2019.
These challenges included two severe bushfire seasons, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and severe flooding in February and March of 2022.
During this time, he also championed emergency services reform and provided leadership across Queensland’s State Emergency Service, Fire and Rescue Service and Rural Fire Service.
Prior to serving in Queensland, Mr Leach worked in senior operational roles at CFA and executive positions at Ambulance Victoria and Fire Rescue Victoria (formerly Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade).
Notably, he helped lead the implementation of fire services reform as Fire Rescue Victoria deputy chief officer and executive director in organisational learning and development.
Mr Leach will take over as VICSES CEO on Monday 4 December when Stephen Griffin, who oversaw some of the largest changes and emergencies in VICSES’ history, steps aside after almost a decade in the role.
“I am honoured to lead VICSES and look forward to working alongside its dedicated volunteers and staff to continue putting the safety of Victorians first,” Mr Leach said.
“VICSES plays a crucial role in Victoria’s emergency preparedness and response and I will ensure it remains a progressive and agile leader in the sector.”
Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes paid tribute to both Mr Leach and Mr Griffin.
“I congratulate Greg Leach AFSM on his appointment as the Victoria State Emergency Service’s Chief Executive Officer and look forward to working closely with him,” she said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to again thank Stephen Griffin for his outstanding leadership and hard work at VICSES over the last decade.”
