BURWOOD EAST, VIC. — CFA’s new Chief Officer Garry Cook AFSM will take the reins of the volunteer firefighting organisation toward the beginning of November as Victoria heads into what is expected to be a challenging fire season.
Garry is a seasoned veteran with 40 years of emergency management experience dedicated to serving Victorian communities and supporting CFA volunteers and staff. He is currently CFA’s Deputy Chief Officer, Operational Response and Coordination.
Starting his CFA journey as a volunteer firefighter at 16, joining a northeast Victoria brigade in 1981 before becoming part of the career ranks at 21.
CFA CEO Greg Leach AFSM said: “We are confident Garry’s reputation for strategic leadership, operational excellence and his strong connection to and respect for CFA’s volunteers and our community make him the ideal candidate to lead CFA through the upcoming high-risk weather season and into the future.”
“He has been instrumental in delivering a range of initiatives including Low Voltage Fuse Removal, Safe Working at Heights, the Radio Replacement Program, Aviation Capability uplift, Fire Investigation and Fire Medical Response,” a CFA spokesperson told the media.
Between 2007 and 2014, Garry held senior leadership positions with Ambulance Victoria, including serving on the executive of the newly established organisation, before returning to CFA as Assistant Chief Officer for the North East Region. He subsequently served as Deputy Chief Officer and has acted in several executive leadership positions across the organisation, including several stints as Acting Chief Officer.
During this time, he has completed two postgraduate qualifications – a Graduate Diploma in Management at La Trobe University and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration at Swinburne University of Technology.
CFA Chair Jo Plummer said: “Garry lives and breathes the CFA values and is well known and highly regarded within CFA.”
“He is well equipped to lead CFA into the summer season with a deep understanding and knowledge of the organisation, the members and the strategic direction.”
“As we transition to a new Chief Officer, we would like to again acknowledge outgoing Chief Officer Jason Heffernan and his efforts during his time at CFA.
“We extend our thanks for the many contributions he has made to CFA and the safety of the Victorian community,” CFA Chair Jo Plummer said.
