Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib has appointed a new Commissioner, Michael Wassing, to lead the NSW State Emergency Service (SES).

The SES is the lead emergency service agency in NSW for floods, storms and tsunami, providing support for communities through more than 11,000 volunteers operating from a network of over 260 sites across NSW. The SES works closely with other emergency service agencies and also provides road accident, search and rescue support when needed.

Mike Wassing has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in the emergency services in Queensland and Victoria. He joins the NSW SES from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority where he served as Deputy Commissioner.

Prior to this, Mr Wassing was Deputy Commissioner at Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) where he led the Readiness and Response Service and Fire Rescue Service from May 2022 to November 2023, and the State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service from September 2015 to May 2022.

At QFES, Mr Wassing played a pivotal role in the response to severe weather events including Tropical Cyclone Debbie (2017) and the 2022 East Coast floods which severely impacted South-East Queensland and NSW, as well as the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires as acting Commissioner. 

The appointment follows a competitive recruitment process undertaken by the Department of Communities and Justice. Mr Wassing will take up his role as Commissioner from 2 December 2024. 

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “I am pleased to announce Mike Wassing will be the new Commissioner of the NSW SES.”

“Mr Wassing has extensive experience as an emergency services leader, with a proven track record directing disaster response and recovery efforts through significant weather events that severely impacted communities. He has also shown an ability to work across different emergency services and jurisdictions, experience that will be invaluable in this new role.”

“We are immensely proud of the volunteers who are the backbone of the SES and we look forward to the expertise that Mr Wassing brings to an organisation at the frontline of flood and weather response in NSW.”  

“I thank Deputy SES Commissioners Debbie Platz and Damien Johnston for acting as Commissioner while we finalised the appointment.”

“I look forward to working with the new Commissioner closely to deliver on the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to support communities when they need it most.”

Incoming Commissioner for NSW SES Mike Wassing said, “It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed to lead the NSW SES which plays such a critical role in the community.”

“I am incredibly impressed by the commitment and hard work we see time and again from the volunteers and staff at the SES, working with communities in the most challenging situations.”

“I know the people of NSW rely on their dedication before, during and after disasters and emergencies – I am looking forward to supporting this work and ensuring the SES continues to focus on the safety of our communities and our people and is ready for the emerging challenges of the future.”