The Queensland Government is undertaking a reform program to address the function and structure, culture, efficiency and funding and sustainability of our disaster and emergency services.
The reforms will see an uplift of almost 500 full-time emergency services personnel, while dedicated budgets will boost resourcing across Queensland, ensuring we can continue to support Queenslanders when they need it most.
For the State Emergency Service, this means we’re building capacity and capability across the state that will result in a well-functioning and sustainable SES with its own budget and unique identity.
The increased investment will mean more SES personnel and more resources, including crucial safety equipment, vehicles and vessels, and more support for councils for certain expenses.
By doing this, the SES will be in a strong position to participate in the reform program as it prepares to transition away from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) to become an entity within the Queensland Police Service (QPS). Given the long-running and close working relationship the SES has with QPS, the SES will be hosted by the QPS’s overarching structure and associated support services. The strength of the SES and its partnership between the community and State and Local Governments is exceptional – this will always remain the case.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has a long-standing and proud history of commitment and service to community safety, especially during times of crisis.
As disasters evolve, so too should the way we prepare, prevent, respond to, and recover from them.
In July 2021, the Queensland Government commissioned an independent review of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) and its associated volunteer services. The goal of the review was to ensure the long-term sustainability of emergency services delivery for Queenslanders. This included assessing the existing scope, functions and suitability of the QFES structure and its funding arrangements.
Multiple recommendations made by the review have been accepted in principle by the Government and address function and structure, culture, efficiency and funding and sustainability.
With Queensland experiencing more natural disasters than any other state in the country, the SES arrangements in our state have become extremely robust through activation, exercise and lessons management.
However, we must be responsive to ensure you, as our state’s emergency service providers, are equipped with the resources and organisational structures you need to keep Queenslanders safe in times of disaster or emergencies, now and in the future. To do this, we must also prepare, building knowledge and capability on a day-to-day basis.
The Queensland Government has committed to an operational budget of $60 million for the SES from the 2023/24 financial year, including funding for personnel, crucial safety equipment, vehicles and vessels to focus on supporting the frontline. Additional operational staff will also focus on regional support as part of the SES Uplift Program.
The changes will address any identified needs and deliver a strong and sustainable SES into the future.
As part of this program of work, new legislation will be developed with the creation of an SES Act, giving clarity for the functional accountabilities of the SES. QPS – through the Commissioner as the accountable officer - will host the functions of the SES. The SES will have its own Chief Officer.
For those paid staff currently working in SES, this will mean you will move from QFES, under the SES brand and identity, to the QPS by no later than 30 June 2024.
The functional responsibilities as well as the operational capability requirements of the SES remain unchanged. For paid staff, this means your day-to-day roles and responsibilities will remain largely the same. There may be some corporate related processes, systems or procedures that will change – rest assured those impacts will be consulted and addressed prior to transition.
Your work is incredibly important and valued by the Government and the people of Queensland. The goal of these reforms is to help you do your job with the best support and resourcing structure, based on recommendations provided by an independent review into our disaster and emergency services.
Relationships with councils remain a primary responsibility for SES, where local knowledge and connection enables the building of resilient communities who are prepared and able to ensure safety of local people.
For that reason, the SES will remain a shared responsibility between the State Government and local councils. This partnership is highly effective in protecting and supporting communities during natural disasters and emergencies. As part of the reforms, the SES will maintain its own separate identity, branding and uniforms, under the QPS.
The SES, QFES and the RIT are working collaboratively and have conducted deep dives within SES to determine current ways of working and requirements for the future. We are aware of the impacts of recent disasters in Queensland and have committed to no degradation of services for the community while this work is underway. The reforms will occur by 30 June 2024.
A communications and engagement strategy has been developed and we will continue to provide you with updated information as we progress with the planning for transition.
You’ll hear about what the Reform Implementation Taskforce (RIT) is working on through your existing communications channels, via emails, through your management and leadership teams but we encourage you to:
