Mr Cooksley will study the Advanced Diploma of Public Safety. He works at NSW RFS headquarters as a state operations officer and is a member of Orange’s North West Rural Fire Brigade.

“I see a future role for the NSW RFS across rural and regional NSW that in partnership with other emergency services, is far wider than simply providing rural fire fighting,” Mr Cooksley said. “I am extremely fortunate to see RFS volunteers helping their local communities every day, they are passionate and extremely capable, and I know they are eager to play a greater role in protecting their communities from a wider array of emergencies.”