What the Ready Reserve do
What can I expect as a Ready Reserve?
As a Community Recovery Ready Reserve member, you’ll be part of a workforce supporting communities affected by natural disasters or other emergency incidents.
You will be involved in the Community Recovery phase which begins once the area is deemed safe. Your role is to help people rebuild emotionally, practically and financially.
Deployment looks different for everyone. You may:
- work directly with community members in disaster-impacted areas, or
- be based in Brisbane supporting operations behind the scenes.
Every role contributes meaningfully to helping Queenslanders get back on their feet. The work can be challenging, but it is deeply rewarding.
What roles might I be assigned to?
Ready Reserve members support recovery through two key teams:
- Deployed to assist the impacted regions in Community Recovery hubs and coordination centres
- Business support/office roles – Brisbane-based or in impacted regions.
Important points to note:
- Disaster events can be unpredictable. The size and scale of an event may result in changes to deployments at short notice.
- Ready Reserves need to be flexible, open to change and prepared to work additional hours in a disaster-impacted location to meet demand. Working on weekends and public holidays may also be required if your deployment period extends across those days.
- Roles can change according to the circumstances. Ready Reserves may not be assigned the role you were initially deployed for.
- Ready Reserves may be asked to perform an alternative role at short notice or if the need arises.
- Ready Reserves must refresh their training every year before disaster season starts in October.
Code of conduct and privacy
Code of conduct
All employees undertaking Community Recovery must comply with the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service. This applies both during official duties and after hours while on deployment.
As a Ready Reserve member, you represent the Queensland Government and are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism when engaging with:
- Fellow Ready Reserve members
- Members of the public
- Recovery and response stakeholders.
Your behaviour should reflect the values of the department, with added sensitivity and understanding for disaster-affected communities.
Conflict of interest
Ready Reserve members must avoid any situation where personal interests could conflict with their professional responsibilities. If a potential conflict arises, it should be disclosed immediately to your Team Leader or Manager.
Examples may include:
- Personal relationships with community members receiving assistance
- Financial interests that could influence decision-making
- Any situation that could compromise impartiality or fairness
More information