Staff Spotlight – Tony Dell
by Chelsea Ardley
Introduction
While Tony Dell was visiting Head Office we thought it would be a great time to catch up and learn more about him. Tony has been with Corporate Protection Australia Fire & Rescue for over 11 years and has achieved many great things in that time both professionally and personally.
What is your professional background?
My fire and rescue life started in 1987 when I joined my local fire station as a junior fire fighter at the age of 11. I spent 27 years in the Country Fire Authority in Victoria and held positions of Communications Officer, 3rd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Acted as Brigade Captain for 6 months. I have been deployed interstate on many occasions into New South Wales, Canberra, Queensland, and South Australia on strike teams mostly as a Crew Leader.
I am a qualified printing machinist and printed for the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industry. I enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and was posted to Amberley Air Force Base for period. Once I discharged from the RAAF, I continued my firefighting roles in Victoria and continued to learn new skills.
In 2012 I was completing a course in vertical and confined space rescue in Brisbane, in this training course with a gentleman by the name of James Kiwi. James was the Fire and Rescue Manager of CP at the time, and we began to chat over the week during the course. James and I kept in contact after the course as CP had this little contract coming up and he thought I might like to apply for. This little contract was for the BG QGC contract now known as Shell QGC. I began my CPAFR carrier in April 2013 as a Level 2 Fire Fighter on D Crew Kenya Hub.
Where are you working now?
I am currently based in Brisbane as Field Contract Coordinator Fire & Rescue.
What are your primary responsibilities?
My responsibilities are coordinating, travel, annual leave, and roasters across multiple sites. Assist the National Operation Manager Fire & Rescue in delivering our contract requirements ensuring that we maintain compliance and operational readiness of our staff. Is also liaise as a Fire safety Adviser and support and advise in building fire appliances.
What other Corporate Protection sites have you worked?
Over the previous 11 years I have worked on multiple sites
- Shell/QGC – Central, Ruby-jo, Woleebee Creek, Charlie Field, TGS.
- BHP/BMC – Poitrel, South Walker Creek
- Curragh
- Bravus
- Kogan Creek Power Station, Wivenhoe Sower Station, Condamine Power Station.
- Energy Resources Australia in the Northern Territory
What do you find most challenging or fulfilling in your role?
Most challenging part of this role is developing the work life balance. With us operating in a 24/7 operation we cannot just do a 9 to 5 Monday to Friday. Unfortunately, from time-to-time family commitments are interrupted with site or staff issues that do require immediate attention.
Most fulfilling part is watching our members grow and develop into strong leaders with the industry. When the have been given the opportunities to put their skills into action and rise through the ranks within our organisation.
And what do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I compete in team endurance trail running and hiking events. Events range from 10 kilometers up to and over 100 kilometers. The team is made up of 5 people, Myself as the team leader usually and 4 kids in years 8 to 12. Over the year we would cover over 800 kilometers in training and events. I enjoy being out on the trails and up in the hills you really find out what you are made of.
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What would your manager say?
Kevin would say that I’m mad doing what I do in my spare time (and he does). At work I will always offer to cover shifts and give guidance to all members and within or operations team and do what needs to be done.
Manager comment:
Tony has been one of the rocks of CPAFR, having been on most of the contracts we have held since he joined in the early days of the business unit. He has taken on progressively more senior and leadership roles and is helping to shape how we do business. Apart from liking long walks in the park on his days off, Tony has been an outstanding example of what every employee should strive for in both their personal and work life.