Acting Deputy Commissioner Kevin Walsh joined us in 1992. Kevin was appointed to the rank of Assistant Commissioner in January 2018 and led the establishment of the Emergency Management and Community Capability Directorate before being appointed to the role of Assistant Commissioner, South Eastern Region in July 2019. 

Kevin was appointed as the Acting Deputy Commissioner, Fire and Rescue Service in 2023 to lead the Fire and Rescue Service as we transition from Queensland Fire and Emergency Service to the new Queensland Fire Department. 

Kevin has held a range of diverse roles at both regional and State level and has been involved in numerous organisational change initiatives. In the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie in 2017, he was appointed as the Deputy State Recovery Coordinator for North Queensland where he supported recovery operations for local governments and impacted communities. 

Kevin has led disaster assistance response teams during major disasters in Queensland including Cyclone Larry in 2006, Cyclone Yasi in 2011, Cyclone Debbie in 2017 and the North Queensland monsoon event in 2019. He has also held key roles in State and Regional Coordination Centres and led our teams deployed overseas for disaster response. 

Kevin has a master’s degree in leadership and management and an executive master’s degree in public administration. In 2012, he was awarded the National Emergency Medal and the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).