This presentation explores the challenges of fire safety compliance in regional and rural Victoria, including limited access to specialists, ageing infrastructure, extended response times, and rural complacency. Drawing on frontline experience, it highlights practical, risk-based approaches to improving awareness, compliance, and fire safety outcomes in regional communities.
Brendan Sweet is the Regional Fire Safety Coordinator for Northern Victoria at Fire Rescue Victoria, with experience delivering fire safety and regulatory compliance outcomes across regional and peri-urban environments. He commenced his career at FRV as a Fire Safety Officer specialising in land-use planning, structural fire safety, caravan park and dangerous goods inspections.
Appointed to the Coordinator role in March 2025, Brendan leads a team of nine Fire Safety Officers within the Regional Fire Safety Unit across a diverse region spanning the Alpine Resorts, Mildura, Bendigo, and Melbourne’s northern metropolitan fringe.
A qualified electrician, Brendan is also a CFA volunteer firefighter and IMT roster member, with previous service as a Lieutenant in a peri-urban brigade in Melbourne’s south-east. He brings a strong technical and operational foundation to his practical, risk-based approach to improving fire safety awareness and compliance outcomes across regional communities.
