RIT - Monthly Newsletter August 2023

Welcome to our first Reform Implementation Taskforce (RIT) newsletter.

Each month we will be sharing with you our collective achievements, next steps ahead, and upcoming events and activities you’re invited to join.

If you would like to find out what’s happening across the program in between newsletters, you can visit the disaster and emergency services webpage for information, news, videos, frequently asked questions and myth busters.

We want to make sure we provide you with the most up to date and current information at hand. To ensure you receive this newsletter straight in your inbox please subscribe to the RIT Monthly Newsletter.

We understand that any type of change can be challenging and feel overwhelming at times. Please be assured there is support and tools available to assist you through this transition.  Please reach out to your manager for further guidance or your organisation’s employee assistance program.

STANDBY FOR BROADCAST

Hear directly from Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy of the Disaster and Emergency Management Portfolio and the State Disaster Coordinator.

View the video where DC Chelepy answers the following questions:

• What has the RIT achieved in the past month?
• Have you encountered any roadblocks along the way?
• What’s ahead of us next month?
• Any other engagements you’d like to share with our members?

CALLING ALL QUESTIONS!

Send us your questions and have it answered by the Deputy or Assistant Commissioner.

Did you know your question could already be answered? View frequently asked questions from across the program on the disaster and emergency services program webpage.

SUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE

We want to make sure we provide you with the most up to date and current information at hand. To ensure you are kept informed please subscribe to the RIT Monthly Newsletter.

WORK STREAM UPDATES 

The following updates are provided by the work streams that are part of this reform program. Each work stream update has been approved by the stream Business Reform Coordinator.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT (DM) UPDATE:

• As 47 Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) staff prepare to transition over to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) on 30 October 2023, the RIT wants to reassure them and those that utilise their services, there will be no degradation of service.

• Staff and functions will transition over three phases. October will see Disaster Management Training, Regional Emergency Management, State Disaster Coordination Centre (SDCC) Watch Desk, SDCC Exercising and SDCC Planning transition, with further DM functions to transfer through to next year.

• Transitioning staff will continue to work from the same locations and provide the same services.

• The Emergency Management and Coordination Command (EMCC) organisation structure was approved by DC Chelepy on 15 August 2023. Mr Ben Marcus has been appointed as the Assistant Commissioner. The EMCC structure will be published in the coming weeks.

• The RIT continues to consult with all stakeholders to discuss how the transition will look and ensure there is little impact to the community.

STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE (SES) UPDATE:

• The SES Project team has been conducting state-wide consultation with staff members and volunteers to better understand their current training. The purpose is to make improvements to how training occurs within the SES into the future. Feedback and insights have been exceptional from participants and a summary of feedback will be shared shortly.

• Mark the calendar for an upcoming SES Townhall discussing Organisational Arrangements. Another townhall is scheduled for Thursday 21 September 2023. Invitations will be sent shortly so you can join online or attend in person.

• SES Change Champions Network Workshop bringing your Change Champions together to build skills in communication, change and sharing best practice to support SES across the state. This network of SES staff is vital in the transition process and will be available to support SES people during the coming months.

MARINE RESCUE QUEENSLAND (MRQ) UPDATE:

• Following a very successful first Blue Card pilot, discussions are now underway with more units interested in participating in the activity. There are now more than 200 new applications for Blue Cards for marine rescue volunteers or applications to link existing Blue Cards with the new MRQ.

• The MRQ branding has been endorsed by two working groups and will next go to the program board for approval.

• We currently have three contingency vessels and trailers on the way, which when ready, will be transported to locations which need it most.

QUEENSLAND FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICE (QFES) UPDATE:

• QFES has many functions happening in regards to the reform project. At the moment there is a focus on the Disaster Management space as noted in the above Disaster Management update.

• Service Level Agreements such as with Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ), Royal Life Saving Society Queensland (RLSSQ) and Police-Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) are transitioning on the 1 October 2023, so QFES are working with our stakeholders in this space to ensure that this is a smooth process. The relationships will continue from QFES with these vital organisations for our state.

• The Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) and Rural Fire Service (RFS) teams are also in the final stages of consultation on the boundaries for the regions in the new Queensland Fire Department (QFD) with final confirmation happening in the coming months. Consultation is ongoing, with a focus on enhancing engagement with our people about how the reforms are affecting the nature of their work and volunteerism.

QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE (QPS) UPDATE:

• The Emergency Management and Coordination Command (EMCC) organisation structure was approved by DC Chelepy on 15 August 2023. Mr Ben Marcus has been appointed as the Assistant Commissioner. The EMCC structure will be published in the coming weeks.

• Recruitment for new positions within the Command will go-live on Smart Jobs for civilian positions and the QPS Gazette for sworn officer positions in the coming weeks.

• Work is currently underway to prepare teams and workspaces for the transition as part of the interim SDCC accommodation arrangements.

QUEENSLAND RECONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY (QRA) UPDATE:

• As part of the reforms, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) will take on defined Disaster Management functions.

• The QRA will receive $4 million for an extra 30 Full Time Equivalent positions.

• These changes will see QRA's resilience increased, allowing its staff to be better prepared for disasters.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us. We value your feedback and will endeavour to answer your questions.

KEEP INFORMED

Visit our ForGov webpage for information, news, videos, upcoming engagement opportunities and events.

FAQS & MYTH BUSTERS

View our FAQs and Myth Busters to find an answer to your question.

Last updated:

28 August 2023