Release date: 17/06/22

Country Fire Service (CFS) Chief Officer Mark Jones will be leaving his position to return to the United Kingdom.

Upon the conclusion of his contract in September, Mr Jones is expected to take up a position as Chief Fire Officer of the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service in England.

Mr Jones has been announced as the preferred candidate for the position in England, an appointment subject to confirmation by the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel, which will take place in the coming weeks.

Like many internationals who came to work in Australia and South Australia before Covid-19, Mr Jones and his wife’s expectations of returning home regularly to see family and friends was dashed as borders closed and safety restrictions were imposed worldwide. Therefore, the decision came down to family reasons for Mr Jones and his wife.

Mr Jones was appointed Chief Officer of the CFS in 2019 before overseeing the response to the significant fire season faced by South Australia that year.

The Chief Officer has advised the Malinauskas Government that he has greatly enjoyed his time in South Australia, and we thank him for his tireless efforts on behalf of our State.

A search for Mr Jones’ replacement has begun in conjunction with the Commissioner for Public Employment.


Quotes

Attributable to Joe Szakacs

I am saddened to see Mark Jones leave the CFS and I have confidence he will thrive in his new position back home in England.

Mark Jones led the CFS with poise and professionalism through the significant fire season of 2019 and continued his role gallantly to this day.

Attributable to Mark Jones

While I have really enjoyed the challenges of the work and great people I have met in South Australia, the distance from our family in the United Kingdom has been a heavier burden than we expected.  

I have been truly lucky to have had the unique experience of working with the great staff and volunteers of the CFS that are the lifeblood of the organisation.