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Deputy Commissioner Joe Buffone - Profile

Joe Buffone, as Deputy Commissioner, Policy and Planning, has a primary leadership role in improving the States emergency management arrangements and the department’s capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from major emergency and security risks. The position supports and coordinates the States emergency management committees including the Victoria Emergency Management Council and Victoria Emergency Management Council Coordination Group. Joe is responsible for operational liaison between the emergency services and government, emergency management development and training policies, and the new multi-agency emergency management exercise group that was announced by the Premier of Victoria in 2006.

With more than twenty years experience in the security and emergency management sector Joe has worked in senior positions at the Department of Infrastructure, the Port of Melbourne Corporation, and the Victoria State Emergency Service. He was also employed within the Special Forces in the military, and is currently an active Country Fire Authority volunteer. He has formal qualifications in security, emergency and general management.

Joe has played an active role in emergency planning for a number of large scale projects including the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the World Economic Forum, and Y2K (Year 2000 and New Year eve celebrations). He has also been involved with the response to a wide range of major emergencies in Victoria and New South Wales such as bushfires, floods, air and rail accidents, search activities, and severe storms.

Joe is passionate about ensuring there are strong operational links between government, the emergency services and the community, and was awarded the National Service Medal in 2005 and the Public Service Medal in 1999 for outstanding service in the fields of emergency management and training.

Joe has a Graduate Certificate in Disaster Management; Diploma in Security Management; Graduate Certificate in Management and has recently completed a Masters of Business (Management Practice).