Big boots to fill — Diarmuid Kinsella takes on DFES leadership role after tragic death of friend Rob Lake

Diarmuid “Muddy” Kinsella knows he has big boots to fill. Starting this week as the Department of Fire and Emergency Service’s new Great Southern district officer, he is replacing his friend Rob Lake, who died during a hike in Porongurup National Park in April. Mr Lake was a former elite navy clearance diver who spent his last 32 years serving with DFES. His shock death was followed by an emotional send-off in Albany as fire crews travelled from across the region to escort his ashes on a lap of honour. Mr Kinsella took up the baton on Monday, arriving in the Great Southern after nearly two years as a district officer in the Goldfields. His career with DFES stretches back 12 years, when he started as a career firefighter in Kalgoorlie and earned promotion to station officer. He spent two years in Port Hedland as an area officer before returning to the Goldfields. Always one to take up a challenge, Mr Kinsella said his new role was of special significance to him given his friendship with Mr Lake. “I’m always up for something new and fresh and this is a different region to those I’ve worked in before,” Mr Kinsella said. “Unfortunately, under sad circumstances this position opened up. Rob was a very good friend of mine and was one of the nicest blokes you will meet. “I just want to continue what he started here — not to try to emulate him but continue his good work.” With the Great Southern now in its high-threat bushfire period, Mr Kinsella said he was ready for a busy first few months in the job. Mr Kinsella will oversee career and volunteer firefighters in his role and work closely with the City of Albany. “I was fairly well versed in fires in the Goldfields area but it’s different terrain here,” he said. “There is a lot of bushfire risk in Albany, especially given the rural-urban interface. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”