Leadership Podcast Series hosted by former Australian Emergency Services Senior Executive - Andrew Short AFSM. Season 3 commencing July 2025 focuses on thought-provoking conversations with leaders who influence the emergency services sector. The big challenges facing the industry are explored in this series, whilst emphasising the role of leadership in driving progress. As the title suggests, I’m here to learn, grow, and be influenced - and I invite you to join the conversation. ”The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” - (William James) This is my philosophy.
Podcast contact is: influencemepodcast@icloud.com
Beyond Response: Reforming Australia’s Emergency Services System
A personal perspective on the future of Australia's fire and emergency services
Australia’s emergency services are built on extraordinary people, strong traditions and an enduring commitment to community. But the environment in which they operate is changing, and the systems that support them need to be prepared to change as well.
This paper is my contribution to that conversation.
Drawing on more than four decades of experience across fire, rescue, rural fire, State Emergency Service and emergency management, I explore a range of issues confronting the sector — including governance, funding, workforce design, volunteering, organisational culture, prevention and mitigation, health and wellbeing, industrial influence, and the challenges facing contemporary emergency-service leaders.
It is intentionally an opinion and discussion paper rather than a technical or academic report. I do not pretend to have all the answers. My purpose is to encourage informed discussion about whether the structures that have served us in the past remain the structures we need for the future.
The people working and volunteering within Australia’s emergency services deserve systems every bit as capable, adaptable and courageous as they are.
This paper was originally released in August 2026.
I wish readers and my listeners the best.
Regards
Andrew Short AFSM
Read the paper