FAREWELL TO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER BRUCE MCDONALD After more than 41 years with the NSW RFS, in May 2021 Bruce McDonald, Deputy Commissioner Preparedness and Capability, moved into an exciting new phase of his life – retirement. “There are big changes ahead for the agency, and driving that change will take a lot of energy and a mountain of effort,” says Bruce. “I feel this is the right time for me to move on to another chapter of my life and allow some fresh blood to come through.” Bruce rose through the NSW RFS ranks in the way many do – starting as a volunteer with Beacon Hill Brigade in 1980 after significant fires on the Northern Beaches. Over the years he held the positions of Firefighter, Deputy Captain, Senior Deputy Captain, Captain and Group Officer. Bruce then took up a paid role as District Inspector of the old Warringah/Pittwater District (now Northern Beaches District) at the local council. Later he became State Operations Officer, then held several management roles in communications systems and infrastructure before being appointed a Director. 22 BUSH FIRE bulletin || FEATURES
In 2014, Bruce took on the role of Executive Director Infrastructure Services and rose to the rank of Assistant Commissioner. Finally, in November 2020 he was made Deputy Commissioner. Reflecting on his career and the Service, Bruce acknowledges he has been at the coalface of operations for many years and seen many changes. “Back in the big fires of 1994, the equipment and machinery were rather rudimentary and interaction with adjoining fire districts wasn’t as sophisticated as it is today,” he says. “You fought fires with basic equipment – they were tough old days. “The fires in 2001 were probably the first time we had sought and received firefighting resources from interstate – in this case Victoria. The hours for our firefighters were long and draining and it was so important for them to have backup and some reprieve.”
