Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

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Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Department overview
Formed1 November 2013 (1 November 2013)
JurisdictionQueensland Government
HeadquartersKedron, Queensland, Australia
Employees
  • 2,200 front-line officers
  • 2,000 paid auxiliary staff
Minister responsible
  • Nikki Boyd, Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery
Department executives
  • Steve Smith, Acting Commissioner
  • Kevin Walsh, QFRS
  • Ben Millington, RFS & SES
Child agencies
Websiteqfes.qld.gov.au

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is the primary provider of fire and emergency services in Queensland, Australia. The QFES was established in 2013, adopting an "all hazards" approach to emergency management.

The QFES headquarters are located in the Emergency Services Complex in Kedron, Brisbane.

The 20,200 QFES personnel are 2,200 full-time professional firefighters and 2,000 on call auxiliary firefighters, 9,000 Rural Fire Service volunteers and 6,000 State Emergency Service volunteers. QFES front-line operations are supported by non-operational administration staff located throughout Queensland.[1]

The Queensland Government minister responsible is the Honourable Nikki Boyd, Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery.[2]

History[edit]

On 1 November 2013, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service merged with Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) and the Corporate Services Division of the Department of Community Safety to become the QFES, encompassing Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, parts of the State Emergency Service, Emergency Management and the Rural Fire Service.

In October 2022, following a review by State Disaster Co-ordinator Steve Gollschewski, it was decided that QFES would be dissolved in June 2024. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service along with the Rural Fire Service would form the Queensland Fire Department, with a new central headquarters.[3][4] On 1 July 2024 the State Emergency Service will be merged with the Queensland Police Service along with the Volunteer Marine Rescue and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Queensland, which itself is to be renamed Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) and therefore made part of the Queensland emergency services.[3][5]

The new QFD headquarters will be located at 240 Sandgate Road, Albion with a 2025 opening date.[4]

Organisation[edit]

Pumper
Mobile Control Centre

QFES professional firefighters aim to balance risk reduction and community resilience enhancement, whilst providing response and recovery capabilities in the primary hazard response areas of fire and explosion, accident, rescue, environmental, and imminent or declared disaster.

Aerial ladder truck

QFES provides specialist personnel for land, marine, air and urban search and rescue; crime scene and forensic searches; missing person searches; animal disease outbreaks; and communications.[citation needed]

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service[edit]

Since the merger of the fire boards in 1990, the Queensland state firefighting agency has operated under several names:

  • Queensland Fire Service 1990–1997
  • Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority 1997–2001
  • Queensland Fire and Rescue Service 2001–present

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is made up of approximately 2200 professional and 2000 auxiliary (on-call) firefighters, responsible for responding to most emergencies. Firefighters are trained and work in a command structure with standards to ensure safety. Becoming a Queensland Fire and Rescue Service firefighter involves a selection process, after which successful candidates undertake a four-month recruitment course. Recruits then go on to complete study and training in all disciplines of rescue, wildfires, structural fires and major emergencies.[citation needed]

Rural Fire Service[edit]

  • Rural Fire Board 1927-1931
  • Rural Fire Board 1948-1990
  • Rural Fire Service Queensland 1990–Present

The first Rural Fire Board was established in 1927 with the Rural Fires Act of 1927 (Qld), which was suspended in 1931 due to the Great Depression. The boards were re-established in 1948, and merged with the Department of Emergency Services in 1990, becoming the Rural Fire Service (RFS). In 2014, the RFS was merged into the QFES.[6]

Fire prevention and rescue[edit]

Queensland's firefighters undertake a range of planning and preparation activities throughout the year, including structural firefighting, wildland (forest and grassland) fires, vertical rescue, swift water rescue, road crash rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, urban search and rescue (USAR) and hazardous material mitigation. Fire hazard (vegetation fires) mitigation and response is the primary role of Fire and Rescue and Rural Fire Service in the outer areas.[where?]

Rural Fire Brigades, in conjunction with Rural Fire Service permanent staff, Fire & rescue Service,[clarification needed] local councils, national parks rangers, and local landholders, undertake a range of planning and preparation activities throughout the year to prepare communities for the fire season. One of these activities is hazard reduction burns. Hazard reduction burns use fire under controlled circumstances to reduce excess vegetation and minimise the potential for bushfires to spread.[citation needed]

Community education[edit]

QFES professional firefighters visit schools and engage in a range of community education activities to prepare the community for emergencies.

Permits to light fire[edit]

The Fire and Emergency Services Regulation 2011 (Qld) regulates the use of fire by not allowing fires to be lit without a specific permit. Fire wardens and authorized fire officers manage the permit to light fire system.

A permit to light fire is required for any fire that exceeds two meters in any direction and can be acquired free of charge from a fire warden.

Fighting bushfires[edit]

QFES professional firefighters cover the major population areas across most of Queensland. Rural Fire Brigade volunteers respond to the outbreak of fires within their local area, as well as in surrounding areas to support other rural bushfire brigades and emergency services. QFES is made up of the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue Service that together provide a stronger response to large-scale bushfires.

Deployments and assistance during disasters[edit]

All elements of QFES are often sent on deployment to assist other Australian states during disasters. Both professional and volunteer services are also used for state-based deployments.

State Emergency Service[edit]

The Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) is a statewide organisation of volunteers who respond to emergencies and disasters across Queensland as needed. They are trained and equipped by local councils and QFES to help their communities across a range of functions. The basic concept of the SES is one of self-help and mutual assistance within each community.

SES members also assist other emergency services by providing emergency lighting, emergency welfare services, management of traffic at emergency scenes, and emergency communications.

Leadership[edit]

The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service.

Period served Name Notes
Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
2014–2015 Lee Johnson, AFSM Formally Commissioner of Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS).
2015–5 June 2019 Katarina Carroll, APM Formerly Assistant Commissioner in the Queensland Police Service.
2 December 2019 – 3 October 2023 Greg Leach, AFSM Former Deputy Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (Melbourne). Previous Commissioner of Tasmania Ambulance.
3 October 2023 – Present Steven Smith, AFSM Appointed acting commissioner from 3 October 2023.

The following have held the position of commissioner and later deputy commissioner of the QFRS.

Period served Name Notes
Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority
1997–2001 Wayne Hartley, AFSM Formally Director of the Queensland Ambulance Service.
Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service
2001–2002 Wayne Hartley, AFSM Formally Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority
2002–2014 Lee Johnson, AFSM
Deputy Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service
2023–Present Kevin Walsh, AFSM

Ranks and structure[edit]

The QFES employs both professional firefighters and on call paid Auxiliary firefighters to staff its more than 240 urban fire and rescue stations.

Ranks of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Services are as follows:

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service - Professional Firefighters[edit]

  • 4th Class Firefighter – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE"
  • 3rd Class Firefighter – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and single chevron
  • 2nd Class Firefighter – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and double chevron
  • Qualified 1st Class Firefighter – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and triple chevron
  • Senior Firefighter – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE", triple chevron and gold crossed axes
  • Leading Firefighter – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE","LEADING FIREFIGHTER" with triple chevron and gold crossed axes - as of 2019, this rank is being phased out
  • Station Officer – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and double impeller
  • Inspector – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and triple impeller
  • Superintendent – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE", single impeller and crown
  • Chief Superintendent – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE", double impeller and crown
  • Assistant Commissioner – Black epaulette with white embroidered "Fire and Emergency Services", crossed branches with laurels
  • Deputy Commissioner – Black epaulette with white embroidered "Fire and Emergency Services", crossed branches with laurels and a single impeller
  • Commissioner – Black epaulette with white embroidered "Fire and Emergency Services", crossed branches with laurels and a single crown

Fire and Rescue Service Auxiliary Firefighter[edit]

  • Auxiliary Support – Black epaulette with red embroidered 'FIRE & RESCUE' and 'AUXILIARY SUPPORT'
  • Firefighter – Black epaulette with red embroidered 'FIRE & RESCUE' (Grade 1 & 2)
  • Firefighter (5 Years) – Black epaulette with red embroidered 'FIRE & RESCUE' with single bar
  • Firefighter (10 Years) – Black epaulette with red embroidered 'FIRE & RESCUE' with double bar
  • Firefighter (15 Years) – Black epaulette with red embroidered 'FIRE & RESCUE' with triple bar
  • Lieutenant – Black epaulette with red embroidered 'FIRE & RESCUE' and single impeller
  • Captain – Black epaulette with red embroidered 'FIRE & RESCUE' and double impeller

Fire Communications[edit]

  • Fire Communications Officer 1.1 – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS" and lightning bolt
  • Fire Communications Officer 1.2 – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS", a single chevron and lightning bolt
  • Fire Communications Officer 1.3 – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS", two chevrons and lightning bolt
  • Fire Communications Officer 1.4 – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS", three chevrons and lightning bolt
  • Fire Communications Officer 1.5 – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS", three chevrons, lightning bolt and single bar
  • Fire Communications Supervisor – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS", double impeller and lightning bolt
  • Fire Communications Manager – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS", triple impeller and lightning bolt

Fire & Rescue Scientific Branch[edit]

Volunteers[edit]

  • Volunteer Scientific Officer – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC'
  • Volunteer Scientific Officer (5 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with single bar
  • Volunteer Scientific Officer (10 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with double bar
  • Volunteer Scientific Officer (15 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with triple bar

Volunteers (Brisbane Based)[edit]

  • Scientific Support Officer – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC'
  • Scientific Support Officer (5 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with single bar
  • Scientific Support Officer (10 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with double bar
  • Scientific Support Officer (15 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with triple bar

Senior Officers[edit]

  • Inspector – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and triple impeller
  • Superintendent - lack epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and single impeller and crown
  • Chief Superintendent – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and double impeller and crown

Rural Fire Service (Paid and non-paid staff)[edit]

Volunteers[edit]

  • Member – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS'
  • Firefighter – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and single bar
  • Senior Firefighter – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and double bar
  • Crew Leader - Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and triple bar
  • Officer – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and single impeller
  • 1st Officer – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and double impeller

Representational Positions[edit]

  • Deputy Group Officer – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and single impeller with bar
  • Group Officer – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and double impeller with bar

Staff (Paid)[edit]

  • Rural Officer 1 – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' with single bar
  • Rural Officer 2 – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' with double bar
  • Rural Inspector – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' and triple impeller
  • Rural Superintendent – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' single impeller and crown
  • Rural Chief Superintendent – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' and double impeller and crown
  • Rural Assistant Commissioner – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'FIRE & EMERGENCY' and wreath with crossed branches

State Emergency Service (Paid and non-paid staff)[edit]

Ranks on SES

Volunteers[edit]

  • Community Member – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES'
  • Field Operations Member – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and single chevron
  • Senior Field Operations Member – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and double chevrons
  • Leading Field Operations Member - Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and triple chevrons
  • Deputy Group Leader – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and single cyclone
  • Group Leader – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and double cyclone

Representational Positions[edit]

  • Deputy Local Controller – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and double cyclone with single bar
  • Local Controller – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and double cyclone with double bar

Staff (Paid)[edit]

  • SES Officer Grade One – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'SES' and single white cyclone
  • SES Officer Grade Two – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'SES' and double white cyclone
  • Area Director – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'SES' and triple white cyclone
  • Executive Manager – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'SES' with single white cyclone and crown
  • Regional Director - Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'SES' with double white cyclone and crown
  • SES Assistant Commissioner - Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'FIRE & EMERGENCY' and wreath with crossed branches

Honors and awards[edit]

Medals[edit]

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service medals and ribbons are worn in accordance with the strict Order of Precedence below, from center to right. The award with the highest precedence is worn closest to the centre of the chest and on the top row of ribbon bars when more than four awards are worn.[7]

Commissioner's Medal for Valour
Commissioner's Distinguished Service Medal
Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery
Commissioner's Meritorious Service Award
Diligent And Ethical Service Medal
QFES Medal
SES Meritorious Service Medal

Citations[edit]

Citations are worn centrally, 5mm above the nameplate on the right breast pocket of service shirts, tunics and coats. The Order of Precedence for Queensland Fire and Emergency Service citations is as follows:[7]

Commissioner's Unit Citation
G20 Citation
2010-2011 Queensland Flood and Cyclone Citation
XXI Commonwealth Games Citation

Administrative Regions[edit]

Queensland is split into 7 distinct Regions for administrative purposes with each assigned a region number.

QFES Regions
Region Number Region Name
Region 1 Northern Region
Region 2 Central Region
Region 3 South Western Region
Region 4 North Coast Region
Region 5 Brisbane Region
Region 6 South Eastern Region
Region 7 Far Northern Region

Each region is further divided into several Commands or Areas with an area office, usually a large station or dedicated building. For example, Caloundra Command has an area office at Caloundra Fire and Rescue Station, while Caboolture Command has a dedicated office.

Station Numbers and Callsigns[edit]

Fire and Rescue[edit]

Fire and Rescue stations are numbered by the region and command it's located in, followed by 3rd digit.

For example, Station 482 (Caloundra) is situated in North Coast Region (see above), Caloundra Command, Station 2.

FRS appliance callsigns are formulated with the station number and a letter denoting the type of appliance.

Common Fire and Rescue Appliances
Letter Appliance Type
A Pumper with firefighting and rescue capability
B As per Alpha
C/D Pumper with no rescue capability
E 4WD pumper with firefighting or SWR capability
I Hydraulic platform with aerial rescue and firefighting capability
J Combined Aerial Pumper Appliance
K Emergency Tender with rescue capability
L Rescue vehicle with technical rescue and swift water rescue capability
S Operational Support Unit with HAZMAT and BA support
V Water Tanker
Y 4WD Light Attack vehicle with firefighting capability, that can be equipped with SWR

Rural Fire Service[edit]

RFS brigades are named by their locality. For example, Landsborough Rural Fire Brigade, Ilkley and District RFB and Maleny RFB.

RFS callsigns are formulated with the brigade name appended with the number of appliance.

RFS Callsigns
Number Type
41 Light Attack
51 Medium Attack
61 Heavy Attack
71 Water Tanker
81 Utility Vehicle
91 Command Vehicle

If a brigade has multiple of one type, the last digit is increased by one, for example Ilkley and District 51 and 52.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fire and emergency | Emergency response services". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Member Details - Queensland Parliament". Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b "QFES, SES To Split Up". southburnett.com.au. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b "New Fire Department to call Albion home in 2025". miragenews.com. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Disaster and Emergency Services Reform". qld.gov.au. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Rural Fire Service History". Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b State of Queensland (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) (November 2016). "Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Honours and Awards 2016" (PDF). Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.

External links[edit]