
Gavin Freeman AFSM
Pronoun
Commissioner
Fire Rescue Victoria
Gavin Freeman AFSM is the Fire Rescue Commissioner. Gavin joined FRV in 2020 from the Country Fire Authority (CFA), where he served as the Deputy Chief Officer and Executive Director for Community Service Delivery.
Gavin joined the CFA in 2017 from Tasmania where he built his career with the Tasmania Fire Service for 32 years, including seven years as Deputy Chief and Chief Officer. Gavin previously acted as CFA's Chief Executive Officer/Chief Officer and has undertaken the role of Victorian State Response Controller since 2017, including during the damaging 2019-20 bushfire season.
During his time with CFA, Gavin was instrumental in the delivery of major projects such as Emergency Medical Response (EMR), road crash rescue support and the integration of wellbeing services into operations. Gavin completed a Masters Degree in Emergency Management in 2010. He also holds a Graduate Diploma in Executive Leadership, an Advanced Diploma of Firefighting (Management) and is a Fellow of the Institute of Fire Engineers. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Gavin received a National Emergency Medal in 2013, Australian Fire Service Medal in 2011 and a National Medal in 2010. With his experience leading teams through high-pressure, high-stakes situations, Gavin will share how demonstrating visible allyship can strengthen leadership impact and create environments where diverse teams can thrive.
SESSIONS
Day 2
9:40
CEO Panel: Stronger Together – Building Trust, Influence and Impact
Who gets heard, backed, and seen – and how leaders are shifting that power dynamic
Unpacking what it really takes to build trust across teams with diverse backgrounds and lived experience
Personal examples of allyship in action and how it made a difference
Embedding accountability and navigating discomfort with courage
Moderator: Stacey Ong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, One Red Step
Sandra Hills OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Benetas
Catherine Liddle, Chief Executive Officer, SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children
Gavin Freeman AFSM, Commissioner, Fire Rescue Victoria