The ACT's first female chief of the territory's SES will become the new head of the Emergency Services Agency.
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Georgeina Whelan has been appointed as temporary commissioner, the agency announced on Tuesday.
Commissioner Whelan will serve in the role until August 31, while the search for a permanent commissioner to replace outgoing commissioner Dominic Lane gets under way.
![ACT Emergency Services Agency's new commissioner, Georgeina Whelan. Picture: Facebook ACT Emergency Services Agency's new commissioner, Georgeina Whelan. Picture: Facebook](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75nhohoztyvtfv2h310.jpg/r0_0_693_1058_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mr Lane announced his resignation from the role in April after six years in the top job to move to a new role in South Australia's Fire and Emergency Services Commission.
Commissioner Whelan said she was honoured by the appointment.
"I would perceive myself as someone who is very good as getting the best out of people and nurturing an organisation and optimise their outcome," she said.
Before taking on a role at the SES two years ago, Commissioner Whelan served in the Australian Defence Force for 30 years, working as chief of staff to the defence force's headquarters.
Commissioner Whelan also spent time as director-general of garrison health operations, where she was responsible for the healthcare of more than 70,000 defence force members.
Her work in managing humanitarian aid and disaster responses in Australia and overseas saw her awarded the 2015 ACT Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
She said there were many similarities between her old and new role and was hoping to rely on her experience with the SES and defence force.
"What attracted me to the role in the SES as chief of staff and now as interim commander was a sense of service," Commissioner Whelan said.
"There's similarities in that there is no room for error."
In paying tribute to her predecessor, Commissioner Whelan said she was looking forward to continuing on the work of former head Dominic Lane.
"He left the agency in absolutely great shape and has set me up for success in the interim," she said.
"The strategic reform agenda, driven by the previous commission is an enduring commitment and what I'd like to do is ensure we realise the benefit of that agenda.
"We need to be looking forward into the future, and ask are we in a position to meet the needs of the community, and respond to more large scale events."
Commissioner Whelan said she would put her hand up to apply for the permanent commissioner role following the end of her time in the position in August.
The agency said it welcomed Commissioner Whelan's appointment to the role.
"The agency is looking forward to having Commissioner Whelan at the helm at the helm for the next few months."
The new commissioner said there were several priorities to look at in her time in the role.
"The first priority is that we remain as prepared as possible for our day-to-day responses but also for the upcoming bushfire and storm season."