Kaylene Jones joins us from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) Victoria, where she held the role of Deputy Chief Officer for Operational Performance and Capability.

With more than 19 years of executive and operational leadership, Kaylene is deeply committed to enhancing volunteer engagement and building capability while driving operational excellence in an ever-changing risk environment.

She has successfully led strategic initiatives to improve volunteer recruitment and retention, improve organisational governance, and support effective service delivery. Kaylene has held senior roles with the Victorian Department of Health, Emergency Management Victoria and the NSW State Emergency Service, where she led significant projects such as the NSW SES Fleet Replacement Program and the Victorian Emergency Management Legislation Amendment reforms.

Kaylene is a nationally certified Level 3 Incident Controller who has provided decisive leadership during major disasters, including bushfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She played a critical role in establishing the Victorian COVID Response Coordination Directorate and developing the Apartment Rapid Response Program, which directly supported the community to safely isolate, minimising the spread of the virus during the height of the pandemic.

Kaylene has an Executive Master of Public Administration and is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability. Her service has earned her the National Emergency Medal for her role in the 2019–2020 Victorian Bushfires and the Australian National Medal for her sustained service in times of disaster.