Curtis, Mr P.

The Hon. R.K. PEARCE (King—Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:09): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.K. PEARCE: Every day, our emergency services personnel put themselves on the line to protect our community. It is therefore with great sadness that on Sunday CFS firefighter Peter Curtis tragically passed away while fighting a fire in a remote part of Eyre Peninsula. I take this opportunity to pass on my deepest sympathies to Peter's wife, Jackie, and their family at this extremely difficult time for them.

Peter was an integral part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service brigade strike team, which had been deployed to fight a scrub fire in Pinkawillinie Conservation Park, about 60 kilometres west of Kimba. He was engaged in an operation aimed at protecting the park and surrounding communities in what were challenging conditions.

Peter began his firefighting career with ForestrySA in 1995 at Wirrabara and, in 2017, transferred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service within the Department for Environment and Water, where he contributed not only as a remote firefighter but also in senior leadership roles, serving as a strike team leader and sector commander. He dedicated his life to living and working in the Wirrabara Forest and surrounding areas. In recent years, he applied his wealth of practical knowledge and experience across the Southern Flinders Ranges and to other areas of the state. Peter attended numerous fire activities and incidents across South Australia and contributed to significant incidents in other parts of Australia.

Peter's work ethic inspired enthusiasm among his colleagues. His broad practical skills and ability to mentor others greatly strengthened both his team and individuals who worked alongside him. On a personal level, Peter was a caring and considerate person, deeply respected and loved by all who knew him. His loss will be felt profoundly across our organisations and the broader community. At this stage, the circumstances surrounding Peter's passing are still being investigated. We are unable to provide further details at this time, but we will share more information when it becomes available.