Deputy Commissioners and Deputy Secretary

Kenneth Brown AFSM

Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Fire Rescue Commissioner

Kenneth Brown brings 36 years’ experience to Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), both as an operational firefighter and executive leader. Ken is a state and nationally accredited Level 3 Incident Controller and has led many major emergencies across Melbourne and the wider emergency management sector. Ken joined the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) in 1983. He has spent more than ten years in executive positions including in Assistant Chief Fire Officer and acting Deputy Chief Officer positions.

Before joining FRV, Ken acted as the Executive Director and Deputy Chief Officer of the Operational Preparedness portfolio for MFB, where he worked closely with the Executive Office and MFB Board to provide leadership across the organisation.

Ken has received an Australian Fire Service Medal, a National Emergency Medal, a National Medal, an MFB Long and Good Service Medal, as well as Chief Officer Commendations for his outstanding response to fires in Middle Park and Yarraville.

Ken holds a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management, an Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management) and a Diploma in Project Management.

David Bruce AFSM

Deputy Commissioner, North-West Operations

David Bruce comes to Fire Rescue Victoria following 35 years’ experience with MFB, where his most recent position was as Acting Chief Executive Officer/Chief Officer. David held the role of the State Response Controller for Victoria during the 2019-20 fire season and was the Organisational Leader for the North East and Gippsland Fires in Victoria during this time.

David joined MFB in 1985 and worked as an operational firefighter until 1991 when he was promoted to Station Officer. Throughout his career, David has contributed to building compliance and inspection protocols, organisational strategic direction and executive leadership. David was promoted to the role of Deputy Chief Officer at MFB in 2014 and has held the roles of Regional Director North West Metro Region and Regional Director South East Metro Region.

David has received an Australian Fire Services Medal and a National Medal.

Gavin Freeman, AFSM

Deputy Commissioner Central, South and East Operations

Gavin Freeman joins FRV 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 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 well-being 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 an Australian Fire Service Medal in 2011, the National Emergency Medal in 2013 and a National Medal in 2010.

Martin Braid, AFSM

Deputy Commissioner, Strategy

Martin Braid brings more than 30 years’ experience with MFB and has worked in key areas such as Operations, Training, Hazmat, Operational Communications, Work Health and Safety and Community Resilience. Martin was previously the Acting Deputy Chief Officer of State Capability for MFB.

Martin provides a wealth of knowledge to FRV from his time as a member of MFB’s Executive Leadership Team, coupled with his experience working with government bodies and community stakeholders. He was also a senior leader on the transitional arrangements for FRV.

In 2011 Martin was seconded to the Victorian Flood Review, which conducted a detailed examination of emergency management arrangements in Victoria in the context of the 2010–11 Victorian floods. In 2005 Martin was seconded to Victoria Police’s Counter Terrorism and Coordination Unit in the capacity of Fire Service Liaison Officer.

Martin holds a post Graduate Diploma of Organisation Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Applied Management and a Diploma of Fire Technology. He is a Graduate of the Institute of Fire Engineers and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In 2019 Martin was awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal. Martin has also received the Emergency Services Medal and the National Medal.

Michelle Young AFSM

Deputy Commissioner, Community Safety

Michelle Young comes to Fire Rescue Victoria after 25 years of experience with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES). Before joining FRV, Michelle served as the Assistant Commissioner Far Northern Region Queensland.

When Michelle joined QFES in 1995, she was one of the first woman urban firefighters in Queensland. Throughout her 25 years of service Michelle has held a number of different roles across areas including Operations, Training, Community Safety and Business Management, along with running emergency response to large scale incidents including wildfires and cyclones.

In 2019, Michelle acted as the Assistant Commissioner for Queensland’s North Coast Region where she led transformation and reform.

Michelle is the international Trustee for Women in Fire. She is dedicated to attracting, promoting and developing women in the fire and emergency services industries.

Michelle is a qualified Mediator and has a Graduate Certificate in Public Safety Business management and a Graduate Diploma in Executive Leadership (Policing and Emergency Services) and Strategic Leadership – she is currently studying an Executive Masters in public business administration.

Michelle received an Australian Fire Service Medal in 2021.

Brendan Angwin

Deputy Commissioner, Operational Training

Brendan Angwin comes to Fire Rescue Victoria with 40 years’ experience working with MFB. Brendan’s most recent position with MFB was as the Assistant Chief Fire Officer Operations. Previously Brendan served as Commander in Operational Training for MFB from 2008 to 2015.

Brendan commenced his service with MFB in 1981. Through this extensive experience, Brendan brings a wealth of knowledge of national training systems, emergency management, operational knowledge and practices. Brendan has played a key role in developing the state’s training model.

Kirstie Schroder

Deputy Secretary, Corporate, Regulation and Strategic Services

Kirstie Schroder joins FRV with more than 30 years’ experience in the fire and rescue sector. Kirstie was the first woman appointed to an executive role at MFB in 1994, and before joining FRV, served as the Acting Executive Director Strategic Services.

In this role Kirstie was responsible for supporting MFB’s Board, Legal Services, Business Assurance, Corporate Strategy Performance and Project Management Office and Procurement Departments.

Kristie’s experience spans senior roles in People and Culture, Operational Training, the Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Governance and Strategic Services.

Kirstie also led the successful transition of MFB’s Operational Training from the Burnley Training Complex to the state-of-the-art training facility commissioned and built at Craigieburn in 2014.