Neil Ross BROOKSBANK

Neil has been a member of the Tasmania Fire Service for 27 years. He has provided high quality service to the Tasmanian community, aiding to keep Tasmania safe against fires and other emergencies and providing exceptional leadership to Tasmanian Firefighters. Neil joined the Huonville Fire Brigade in 1995 as a Volunteer Fire Fighter to service the local community. After only three years, Neil was promoted to 2nd Officer at the Huonville Brigade. The following year (1999) Neil commenced as a career firefighter and was appointed to the Hobart Brigade. Neil maintained his community service joining the Margate Brigade in 2003 as a Volunteer Firefighter when he relocated his family to the area. Neil used his spare time to study and better himself, he was awarded a Diploma in WH&S in 2003 and a certificate in Frontline Management. These qualifications aided to facilitate Neil’s achievement of the rank of Leading Firefighter in 2004. In 2005 Neil was promoted to Station Officer. Between 2005 and 2010 Neil broadened his experience in different business units. He worked in Training, Planning and Capability, WH&S, Field Officer and Operations. In 2010 Neil successfully completed his Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management) and was promoted to Senior Station Officer. Across the period of 2010 to 2013 Neil undertook secondments to Acting District Officer in Training, Field Operations and Brigade support. In 2013 he was formally promoted to District Officer and moved away from family and settled into the North of Tasmania. As District Officer Neil did not rest, he took opportunities to act as the Deputy Regional chief (North and South) and made positive differences on Brigade operations, Field Operations and State Operations. In 2017, Neil commenced as District Officer in State Operations and since has been promoted to Assistant Director in State Operations. During his tenure at State Operations, Neil has developed the Tasmania Fire Service Aviation wing and the Remote Area Firefighting Capacity. Neil has deployed to New Zealand for the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 and to North America for the British Columbia fire in 2017.