Dermot is a strong leader in the emergency management sector and has proven experience leading innovation and change in the government and private sectors.
He brings more than 35 years of emergency management experience in operational and senior executive roles, most recently as Deputy Chief Officer of the South Australian State Emergency Service.
Before that, Dermot was Managing Director of Worldwide Public Safety at Microsoft in the USA; he practised as a Barrister/Solicitor at an Adelaide law firm and has over 20 years of experience as a professional firefighter with SA Metropolitan Fire Service. In 2013 he commenced an international scholarship to attend the US Fire Academy for a four-year Executive Fire Officer program graduating in 2017. In the 2020 Queens Birthday Honours he was awarded the Emergency Services Medal.