CSG NSW and CHS to merge under single parent entity

The NSW Community Security Group (CSG) and Community Health Support (CHS) will merge under a single parent entity, in a decision the organisations say was informed by lessons from the December 14 terror attack at Bondi Beach.

The boards of CSG and CHS, in conjunction with the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, have agreed to bring both organisations together under an entity led by a group chief executive and a newly constituted board.

In a joint statement signed by Board of Deputies president David Ossip and the boards of both organisations, the three bodies said the threat environment facing the community was more complex and demanding than ever before.

“As we have rightly called on government and law enforcement to evolve their response to these challenges, we must also reflect internally and ask whether our own communal institutions are best positioned to meet them,” the statement said.

The decision reflected a recognition that the challenges facing the community were increasingly interconnected and required a more integrated response, it said.

The statement said bringing together the expertise, capabilities and resources of both organisations was an opportunity to strengthen coordination across security, emergency medical and crisis response functions, to build on the existing partnership between the two, and to streamline engagement with government and supporters.

The first stage of the process will be the appointment of a group chief executive, with an external recruitment process to begin shortly. Once appointed, the chief executive will work with both boards and operational teams to design the future organisational structure and undertake the integration.

Applications and further information are being handled by recruitment firm Johnson Partners.

The statement said there would be no disruption to services during the integration, with CSG and CHS continuing to operate as they do now under their current executive management.

“The missions of both the CSG and CHS remain unchanged, their services will continue uninterrupted — particularly as we head into High Holidays — and their commitment to protecting and supporting our community remains as strong as ever,” it said.

CSG has provided security services to the NSW Jewish community for decades. CHS, established more recently, provides emergency medical and community health support.

“Out of this moment comes an opportunity to evolve our community’s long-standing institutions, emerge stronger, and build an organisation that has the tools to serve and protect our community in a post-Bondi world,” the statement said.