Gavin Freeman AFSM is the Commissioner of Fire Rescue Victoria, bringing more than 35 years of frontline and executive leadership experience in emergency services. He joined FRV in 2020 from the Country Fire Authority (CFA), where he served as Deputy Chief Officer and Executive Director for Community Service Delivery, and acted as Chief Executive Officer/Chief Officer. Gavin’s career began with the Tasmania Fire Service, where he held senior leadership roles including Chief Officer, and he has served as Victorian State Response Controller during some of the state’s most complex emergency events, including the 2019–20 bushfires.

Gavin has been instrumental in delivering major initiatives to strengthen emergency response capability, improve wellbeing support for personnel, and integrate services that meet the needs of diverse communities. He holds a Master’s Degree in Emergency Management, a Graduate Diploma in Executive Leadership, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

With his experience leading teams through high-pressure, high-stakes situations, Gavin will share how cultivating trust, embracing uncomfortable conversations and demonstrating visible allyship can strengthen leadership impact and create environments where diverse teams can thrive.