17 Jun 2024
RIT Fortnightly Newsletter - Proclamation update - Welcome SES and MRQ - June 2024
Find out more about the Disaster and Emergency Services Reform.
Disaster and Emergency Management Reforms
Fortnightly update | 31 May 2024
"Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb"- Greg Child.
Thanks for your support as the Queensland Police Service (QPS) prepares to undergo one of its biggest organisational changes.
We continue to encourage you to share this newsletter to keep your colleagues up to date.
Police Minister Mark Ryan (centre) was joined by the RIT's AC Marcus Hill (left), MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff (second left), Chris Appenzeller (centre left), Aunty Christine (centre right), Reverend Matt Govan (second right) and Ian Sutton (right) for the commissioning of the Tin Can Bay Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association crew's Vessel TC31.
A word from Deputy Commissioner Chelepy
"It's about how we as an agency integrate to provide the best service to Queensland.
It's about setting foundations to evolve.
There may be elements we don't achieve, but the majority of the work will be done.
Things can be tied off after the final date."
QPS Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy speaking at the First Nations Mayor's Summit in Cairns last year.
Ask a question or provide feedback via the RIT contact form
RIT Program focus for the coming weeks
Rolling out the welcome mat
There has been plenty happening across the Reform Implementation Taskforce (RIT), with only days to go until QPS welcomes State Emergency Service (SES) members to the fold.
The 3rd of June also marks the day Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) is recognised as an entity within QPS.
Positive survey response
As the RIT prepares for closure, we want to ensure you are receiving the information you need to make for a successful and comfortable transition.
Thank you to the hundreds of subscribers who provided their feedback. This is of vital importance, as responsibilities are carried over to their relevant areas post 30 June.
The weeks to follow
Reforms to Queensland’s emergency services and disaster management reach significant milestones on 3rd June and 1st of July. The next RIT Newsletter will be dedicated to these milestones.
3rd June: MRQ and SES will be part of the QPS embedded as their own entities, with their own budgets.
1st July: The new Queensland Fire Department (QFD) will be established with a focus on fire response and prevention.
1st July: Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) will be responsible for certain disaster management functions, including state-level hazard and risk functions, and the risk assessment tool utilised to assess risk.
Implementation of Marine Rescue Queensland
Tin Can Bay receives a new marine rescue vessel
TC31 – a marine rescue vessel delivered under the Vessel Replacement Program - was officially commissioned on 14 May in Tin Can Bay.
The volunteers from QF17 Tin Can Bay have been inducted and trained on the 7.5m hard-collared NAIAD which will be well used in the area.
A huge thank you to QF17 Flotilla Commander Johnnie Jensen and his team for hosting TC31’s commissioning.
Previous QF17 Flotilla Commander, Pastor John Van der Heijde in conjunction with QPS Chaplain Reverend Matt Govan gave the official prayers and blessings for TC31 and a special thanks goes to QF17 30-year member, Ian Sutton for christening the vessel with the ceremonial pouring of champagne over the bow.
Tin Can Bay crew at Vessel TC31 commissioning earlier this month.
Long serving AVCGA member Ian Sutton pours the ceremonial champagne aboard Vessel TC31.
If you missed the implementation team's sit down with Ian, you can watch the Volunteer Spotlight video
If you would like to be kept updated about key milestones regarding maritime activities, sign up to the MRQ Newsletter
State Emergency Service
Upcoming engagement
Volunteers and staff are invited to attend the SES Transition Event next week (3 June).
The thank you occasion will be held at the Kedron Emergency Services Complex auditorium.
Time: 10am - 11.30am
Feel free to choose between your uniform or smart casual attire. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) and say thank you, as the SES transitions to the QPS.
Townhall learnings
The final SES townhalls for staff and all volunteers were held last week, with guest speakers from the QPS providing an update on the transition of a range of corporate support functions.
Volunteers are invited to watch the evening session that was held on Monday, 20 May.
Volunteers recognised for WOW Day at Parliament House
A volunteer meet and greet was held at Parliament House to mark Wear Orange Wednesday last week, during National Volunteer Week (NVW).
It was a chance to thank some of the state's dedicated volunteers for the work they do every day to support their community.
The gathering also represented an opportunity for SES members to meet QPS Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.
SES Chief Officer Mark Armstrong standing proudly alongside QPS Commissioner Gollschewski
#thankyouSES
Disaster Management
Australian Warnings System Transition to QPS
As part of the Queensland Disaster Management Reform, the Australian Warnings System (AWS) will transition to QPS Public Information and Warnings Unit (PIWU), within the Emergency Management & Coordination Command (EMCC), effective 5 pm today (Thursday 30 May 2024).
What is the AWS?
The AWS is a national approach to sharing information and warnings during emergencies such as bushfire, flood, cyclone, extreme heat and severe weather, to ensure community members understand the types of actions they need to take at different warning levels, regardless of the hazard or state/territory they are in.
What is changing?
If an issuing agency (e.g. local governments) requires support to create a warning, they can contact their Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) during business hours and outside of these hours, contact our 24/7 Watch Desk.
Please note: 1300 568 464 is no longer in use.
Find out more here: https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-warning-system/
Getting out and about
QPS Superintendent, Rob Graham and Planning Officer Acting Sergeant Kate Sherratt, from the Disaster Operations Group with the EMCC, joined Mackay Police District staff for a personalised site visit and familiarisation of the Gilmour Space launch site near Abbott Point, west of Bowen last week.
This site is the first unmanned orbital launch attempt of Eris, an Australian-made rocket and, the first launch from Australia in over 50 years. The plan is to launch sometime in July.
Superintendent Graham said it is an exciting project to be involved in.
"The EMCC will actively participate and provide support during and post launch. In particular, the utilisation of our Emergency Alert (EA) system and impressive response capability to coordinate any state response needed."
"This is certainly a new ‘space,’ for our disaster management sector to be involved in, he said.
"This will be the first of many planned launches at this site and our commitment and involvement will be ongoing."
More information about the Eris 1 TestFlight1 Mission is available at https://www.gspace.com/missions
Simulations demo for disaster exercise management
This part of the EMCC team recently visited Wacol to witness the Avalanche program in action!
From left to right - Superintendent Paul Austin, Acting Inspector, Tracey Carroll and Senior Sergeant, Michael Purcell.
Through a simulation environment, the Avalanche program helps facilitate training exercises for various Police Services.
The team is researching the usability of this program, along with virtual reality (VR) technology, to help enhance disaster management exercises for staff, key partners, and stakeholders across our State.
This is another great initiative to support continuous improvement and better outcomes for the communities we serve.
#EMCC #DisasterManagement #CapabilityDevelopment #Avalanche #QPS
Queensland Reconstruction Authority
Collaborative effort continues
QRA has been advancing internal design and project and milestone planning for all transitioning functions and activities. Regular engagement continues with QFES, QPS and SES across the Hazard and Risk, Community Engagement and Education and Community Awareness Campaigns functions.
Of note, a Hazard and Risk Management Team is currently being established within QRA’s Resilience and Recovery Division to ensure QRA is well positioned to receive the Hazard and Risk function on 30 June 2024, and that QRA can continue to support our stakeholders.
Nominate for the Resilient Australia Awards
Nominations are still open for the Resilient Australia Awards, recognising initiatives that inspire action for a safer, more connected future and bolster community resilience.
More information is available at www.aidr.org.au/raa
Queensland Fire Department
Commissioner appointed ahead of QFD establishment
Steve Smith has been confirmed as the next QFES Commissioner.
The Australian Fire Service Medal recipient was appointed to the role on 17 May. He is a recipient of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal, National Emergency Medal, National Medal, Commissioners Meritorious Service Ribbon, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Medal, Queensland Flood and TC Yasi Citation, and the Canterbury Earthquake Citation (New Zealand).
Commissioner Smith wrote to QFES staff and volunteers, “We are in the middle of the largest reforms seen since the early 1990s, and the expectations of us are high.
What we do every day directly improves the safety of Queenslanders and we have a great opportunity ahead of us to ensure a robust, relevant and sustainable department into the future. We need to be exceptional at what we do, and to do so we must all strive for excellence, individually and collectively.”
Commissioner Smith also acknowledged SES staff and volunteers efforts over the years, as they prepare to transition to the QPS.
"Over the last 49 years, the SES has gone from strength to strength; enhancing its capability and service to Queenslanders. We have been proud to have had SES in our family and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the SES members and Chief Officer Mark Armstrong to ensure a seamless transition and continued service to Queenslanders in times of need," Commissioner Smith said.
RFSQ reform update
As part of Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) Acting Chief Officer Ben Millington’s commitment to listen and work more closely with RFSQ members across the state, a series of roadshows took place in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Maryborough, Charlton, Kedron and Beenleigh, and the second online Volunteer Forum was held earlier this month.
Mr Millington, Commissioner Steve Smith, Chief Operating Officer Adam Stevenson and RFSQ Deputy Chief Officer Peter Hollier connected with over 1100 RFS staff and volunteers at the Roadshows, and more than 300 volunteers tuned in for the online forum.
Nominations for the Rural Fire Service Advisory Committee close Friday 31 May. The committee will provide policy advice to the RFSQ Chief Officer, and will ensure that the insights, experience, and wisdom of frontline RFSQ volunteers are at the heart of informing the RFSQ Chief Officer of essential decisions. The first meeting is expected to be held in late June/early July 2024
Keep Informed
Visit ForGov for information, news, videos, upcoming engagement opportunities and events.
Contact Us
Have any questions, comments or concerns? Please contact us. We value your feedback.
- Last updated:
- 31 May 2024