Staff profile: Meet David Maxwell
David Maxwell is the ACFO for Training Delivery in Operational Doctrine and Training.
What is your favourite aspect of working in your team?
Achieving common goals together by utilising the unique skill sets and experiences of all individuals within the team. Finding out team members' strengths and maximising them towards positive outcomes.
What’s the most interesting project you've worked on at CFA?
I am fortunate to have a number of these throughout nearly 25 years at CFA.
- Hazelwood Mine Fire/Hazmat Strategic Planning Unit and Recommissioning Centre establishment. Foam strategy development.
- Pandemic Response Team, enabling organisational response during lockdowns in accordance with Government Health Guidelines.
- CFA Fire Services Reform Team, working with DCO Rotarangi ensuring the best outcomes for CFA staff and volunteers post the State Government ‘Fire Services Statement’ enabling CFA to adjust to the outcomes of fire services legislation.
- Delivering on the recommendations detailed with the AFAC Peer Review into CFA’s training department inclusive of the formation of Operational Doctrine & Training and continuing to work within the team to deliver high quality training to all CFA members.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Winston Churchill. I would have too many questions to list. Mostly they would be about leading within dire circumstances and how he continued to display resilience to his people giving them the courage to continue as their homes were destroyed and families separated during World War Two.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone new joining the team?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It's important to feel comfortable to approach people and ensure you are on the right track.
If you could switch jobs with anyone in the world for a day, who would it be and why?
Any of the presenters on the TV show ‘Travel Guides’. I would love to travel the world and experience all the locations they get to visit.