Queensland Fire Department: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
Expire some references to SES which are now with QPS; amend citations (note order of precedence provided by earlier editor is different to SES order – should this be the case?). Will do epaulettes later, and remove the over-bolding. |
||
Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
| child1_agency = Fire and Rescue Service |
| child1_agency = Fire and Rescue Service |
||
| child2_agency = Rural Fire Service |
| child2_agency = Rural Fire Service |
||
| child3_agency = [[Queensland State Emergency Service|State Emergency Service]] |
|||
| website = {{URL|qfes.qld.gov.au}} |
| website = {{URL|qfes.qld.gov.au}} |
||
}} |
}} |
||
Line 31: | Line 30: | ||
The '''Queensland Fire and Emergency Services''' ('''QFES''') is the primary provider of fire and [[Emergency service|emergency services]] in [[Queensland]], Australia. The QFES was established in 2013 and has committed to adopting an "all hazards" approach to emergency management.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Queensland |first=c=AU; o=The State of |title=Frequently Asked Questions {{!}} Disaster and Emergency Services Reform |url=https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/disaster-and-emergency-services-reform/frequently-asked-questions |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=www.qld.gov.au |language=en}}</ref> The headquarters are located at the Emergency Services Complex in [[Kedron, Queensland|Kedron]], [[Brisbane]]. |
The '''Queensland Fire and Emergency Services''' ('''QFES''') is the primary provider of fire and [[Emergency service|emergency services]] in [[Queensland]], Australia. The QFES was established in 2013 and has committed to adopting an "all hazards" approach to emergency management.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Queensland |first=c=AU; o=The State of |title=Frequently Asked Questions {{!}} Disaster and Emergency Services Reform |url=https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/disaster-and-emergency-services-reform/frequently-asked-questions |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=www.qld.gov.au |language=en}}</ref> The headquarters are located at the Emergency Services Complex in [[Kedron, Queensland|Kedron]], [[Brisbane]]. |
||
In 2021, personnel included 2,200 full-time professional [[firefighter]]s and 2,000 on call auxiliary firefighters, and approximately 28,000 Rural Fire Service volunteers and approximately 5100 State Emergency Service volunteers. QFES front-line operations are supported by non-operational administration staff located throughout Queensland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fire and emergency {{!}} Emergency response services|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/emergencies-services/response/fire-rescue|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-23|website=[[Queensland Government]]|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112102136/https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/emergencies-services/response/fire-rescue}}</ref> |
|||
The [[Queensland Government]] minister responsible for the QFES is the Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery, currently the Honourable [[Nikki Boyd]], .<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member Details - Queensland Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Members/Current-Members/Member-List/Member-Details?id=1133080231|access-date=2024-02-17|website=[[Queensland Parliament]]}}</ref> |
The [[Queensland Government]] minister responsible for the QFES is the Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery, currently the Honourable [[Nikki Boyd]], .<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member Details - Queensland Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Members/Current-Members/Member-List/Member-Details?id=1133080231|access-date=2024-02-17|website=[[Queensland Parliament]]}}</ref> |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
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. |
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 [[Queensland State Emergency Service|State Emergency Service]], Emergency Management and the Rural Fire Service. |
||
In October 2022, following a review by State Disaster |
In October 2022, following a review by State Disaster Coordinator Steve Gollschewski, it was decided 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.<ref name="Split">{{cite web |title=QFES, SES To Split Up |url=https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2022/10/27/qfes-ses-to-split-up/ |website=southburnett.com.au |date=27 October 2022 |access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="QFD">{{cite web |title=New Fire Department to call Albion home in 2025 |url=https://www.miragenews.com/new-fire-department-to-call-albion-home-in-2025-1173585/ |website=miragenews.com |access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref> 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 made part of the Queensland Police Service.<ref name="Split"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Disaster and Emergency Services Reform |url=https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/disaster-and-emergency-services-reform#:~:text=Bringing%20together%20Australian%20Volunteer%20Coast,in%20our%20oceans%20and%20waterways. |website=qld.gov.au |access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref> |
||
The new QFD headquarters will be located at 240 Sandgate Road, Albion with a 2025 opening date.<ref name="QFD"/> |
The new QFD headquarters will be located at 240 Sandgate Road, Albion,Brisbane, with a 2025 opening date.<ref name="QFD"/> |
||
==Organisation== |
==Organisation== |
||
Line 90: | Line 89: | ||
QFES personnel (both paid and volunteer) and specialised teams (such as the DART USAR team) may also be deployed internationally for major disaster operations, such as wildfires or landslides. |
QFES personnel (both paid and volunteer) and specialised teams (such as the DART USAR team) may also be deployed internationally for major disaster operations, such as wildfires or landslides. |
||
===State Emergency Service=== |
|||
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== |
==Leadership== |
||
Line 158: | Line 152: | ||
Alongside epaulette ranks, Queensland Fire and Rescue firefighters, auxiliaries, and Rural Fire Service paid staff and volunteers also have different helmet colours to identify rank, however they are somewhat limited, with multiple ranks sharing similar or identical helmet colours and/or markings. |
Alongside epaulette ranks, Queensland Fire and Rescue firefighters, auxiliaries, and Rural Fire Service paid staff and volunteers also have different helmet colours to identify rank, however they are somewhat limited, with multiple ranks sharing similar or identical helmet colours and/or markings. |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
|+Helmet |
|+Helmet colours |
||
!Queensland Fire & Rescue Service |
!Queensland Fire & Rescue Service |
||
!Rural Fire Service Queensland |
!Rural Fire Service Queensland |
||
!Helmet |
!Helmet colour |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 216: | Line 210: | ||
|White |
|White |
||
|} |
|} |
||
Ranks of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Services are |
Ranks of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Services are: |
||
=== Queensland Fire and Rescue Service – Professional Firefighters=== |
=== Queensland Fire and Rescue Service – Professional Firefighters=== |
||
Line 242: | Line 236: | ||
* '''Captain''' – Black epaulette with red embroidered 'FIRE & RESCUE' and double impeller |
* '''Captain''' – Black epaulette with red embroidered 'FIRE & RESCUE' and double impeller |
||
=== Fire |
=== Fire communications === |
||
* '''Fire Communications Officer 1.1''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS" and lightning bolt |
* '''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 1.2''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS", a single chevron and lightning bolt |
||
Line 251: | Line 245: | ||
* '''Fire Communications Manager''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS", triple impeller and lightning bolt |
* '''Fire Communications Manager''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered "COMMUNICATIONS", triple impeller and lightning bolt |
||
===Fire |
===Fire and Rescue Scientific Branch=== |
||
==== Volunteers ==== |
==== Volunteers ==== |
||
Line 259: | Line 253: | ||
* '''Volunteer Scientific Officer''' (15 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with triple bar |
* '''Volunteer Scientific Officer''' (15 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with triple bar |
||
==== Volunteers (Brisbane |
==== Volunteers (Brisbane-based) ==== |
||
* '''Scientific Support Officer''' – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' |
* '''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''' (5 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with single bar |
||
Line 265: | Line 259: | ||
* '''Scientific Support Officer''' (15 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with triple bar |
* '''Scientific Support Officer''' (15 Years) – Black epaulette with light blue embroidered 'SCIENTIFIC' with triple bar |
||
===Senior |
===Senior officers=== |
||
* '''Inspector''' – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and triple impeller |
* '''Inspector''' – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and triple impeller |
||
* '''Superintendent''' – lack epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and single impeller and crown |
* '''Superintendent''' – lack epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE" and single impeller and crown |
||
Line 279: | Line 273: | ||
* '''1st Officer''' – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and double impeller |
* '''1st Officer''' – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and double impeller |
||
==== Representational |
==== Representational positions ==== |
||
* '''Deputy Group Officer''' – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and single impeller with bar |
* '''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 |
* '''Group Officer''' – Ink Navy epaulette with yellow embroidered 'RFS' and double impeller with bar |
||
====Staff ( |
====Staff (paid)==== |
||
* '''Rural Officer 1''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' with single impeller |
* '''Rural Officer 1''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' with single impeller |
||
* '''Rural Officer 2''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' with double impeller |
* '''Rural Officer 2''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' with double impeller |
||
Line 291: | Line 285: | ||
* '''Deputy Chief Officer''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' and wreath with crossed branches |
* '''Deputy Chief Officer''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' and wreath with crossed branches |
||
* '''Chief Officer''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' and wreath with crossed branches and single impeller |
* '''Chief Officer''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' and wreath with crossed branches and single impeller |
||
===State Emergency Service (Paid and non-paid staff)=== |
|||
[[Queensland State Emergency Service#Ranks|Ranks on SES]] |
|||
==== Volunteers ==== |
==== Volunteers ==== |
||
Line 303: | Line 294: | ||
*'''Group Leader''' – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and double cyclone |
*'''Group Leader''' – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and double cyclone |
||
==== Representational |
==== Representational positions ==== |
||
*'''Deputy Local Controller''' – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and double cyclone with single bar |
*'''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 |
*'''Local Controller''' – Ink Navy epaulette with orange embroidered 'SES' and double cyclone with double bar |
||
====Staff ( |
====Staff (paid)==== |
||
*'''SES Officer Grade One''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'SES' and single white cyclone |
*'''SES Officer Grade One''' – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'SES' and single white cyclone |
||
Line 318: | Line 309: | ||
==Honors and awards== |
==Honors and awards== |
||
===Medals=== |
===Medals=== |
||
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service medals and ribbons are worn in accordance with the |
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service medals and ribbons are worn in accordance with the order of precedence below, from centre 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.<ref name=honours>{{cite web |url=https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/links/Documents/QFES-Honours-and-Awards.pdf |title=Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Honours and Awards 2016 |author=State of Queensland (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) |date=November 2016 |website=Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |access-date=16 June 2017 |archive-date=16 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316210059/https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/links/Documents/QFES-Honours-and-Awards.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
Line 345: | Line 336: | ||
===Citations=== |
===Citations=== |
||
Citations are worn centrally, |
Citations are worn centrally, 5 mm above the nameplate on the right breast pocket of service shirts, tunics and coats. The order of precedence for citations is :<ref name=honours/> |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
| |
| |
||
|Commissioner's Unit Citation |
|Commissioner's Unit Citation |
||
⚫ | |||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[File:G20 Citation.jpg|frameless|90px]] |
| [[File:G20 Citation.jpg|frameless|90px]] |
||
| |
| G20 Citation |
||
| Awarded for service during the [[2014 G20 Brisbane summit]] |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[File:2010-2011_Queensland_Flood_and_Cyclone_Citation_device.jpg|frameless|90px]] |
| [[File:2010-2011_Queensland_Flood_and_Cyclone_Citation_device.jpg|frameless|90px]] |
||
|[[2010–2011 Queensland Flood and Cyclone Citation]] |
| [[2010–2011 Queensland Flood and Cyclone Citation]] |
||
| Awarded for service during one or more natural disasters: [[Cyclone Tasha]], [[Cyclone Yasi]], and [[2010–11 Queensland floods]] |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[File:AU-Qld-unit-citation-ribbon-CommGames.jpg|frameless|90px]] |
|||
⚫ | |||
| |
| XXI Commonwealth Games Citation |
||
| Awarded for service during the [[2018 Commonwealth Games|XXI Commonwealth Games 2018]] |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|} |
|} |
||
== Administrative Regions == |
== Administrative Regions == |
||
Queensland is split into |
Queensland is split into seven regions for administrative purposes with each assigned a region number. |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
|+QFES Regions |
|+QFES Regions |
||
Line 390: | Line 385: | ||
|Far Northern Region |
|Far Northern Region |
||
|} |
|} |
||
Each region is further divided into several |
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 == |
== Station Numbers and Callsigns == |
Revision as of 09:01, 13 June 2024
![]() | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
File:Queensland Fire and Emergency Services logo.svg | |
Department overview | |
---|---|
Formed | 1 November 2013 |
Jurisdiction | Queensland Government |
Headquarters | Kedron, Queensland, Australia |
Employees |
|
Minister responsible |
|
Department executives |
|
Child agencies |
|
Website | qfes |
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 and has committed to adopting an "all hazards" approach to emergency management.[1] The headquarters are located at the Emergency Services Complex in Kedron, Brisbane.
In 2021, personnel included 2,200 full-time professional firefighters and 2,000 on call auxiliary firefighters, and approximately 28,000 Rural Fire Service volunteers and approximately 5100 State Emergency Service volunteers. QFES front-line operations are supported by non-operational administration staff located throughout Queensland.[2]
The Queensland Government minister responsible for the QFES is the Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery, currently the Honourable Nikki Boyd, .[3]
History
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 Coordinator Steve Gollschewski, it was decided 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.[4][5] 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 made part of the Queensland Police Service.[4][6]
The new QFD headquarters will be located at 240 Sandgate Road, Albion,Brisbane, with a 2025 opening date.[5]
Organisation
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/QLD_Fire_%5E_Rescue_Scania_pumper_-_Flickr_-_Highway_Patrol_Images_%281%29.jpg/220px-QLD_Fire_%5E_Rescue_Scania_pumper_-_Flickr_-_Highway_Patrol_Images_%281%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Brisbane_Broadway_fire_21stJan15-05_%2816332271295%29.jpg/220px-Brisbane_Broadway_fire_21stJan15-05_%2816332271295%29.jpg)
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.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Queensland_Fire_Service_-_Scania_Aerial_Platform_Ladder_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Queensland_Fire_Service_-_Scania_Aerial_Platform_Ladder_%28cropped%29.jpg)
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
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. 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
- 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), and 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.[7]
Fire prevention and rescue
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. Response to vegetation fires and mitigation of the hazards vegetation fires pose (known as hazard reduction burns) are the primary role of the Rural Fire Service, especially in areas outside of the jurisdiction of Fire and Rescue stations, whereas other aforementioned tasks are generally the responsibility of the paid Fire and Rescue departments located in urban centres.
Rural Fire Brigades and Rural Fire Service paid staff undertake various planning and preparation activities alongside Fire & Rescue Service firefighters from nearby urban communities, local councils, Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers, and local landholders. These activities ensure that communities are prepared 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
QFES professional firefighters visit schools and engage in a range of community education activities to prepare the community for emergencies.
The Rural Fire Service, as a community-oriented agency, also engages in many community education activities. Volunteer Community Educators (VCEs) are a specifically trained role within the Rural Fire Service that helps community members and organisations apply for community education events, plans the events, and presents and runs them. However, non-VCE volunteers also take on these roles alongside VCEs, or when a brigade does not have a trained VCE.
Permits to light fire
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.
Local Rural Fire Brigades can provide information on obtaining and completing a permit to light fire, provide the permit for the landowner to complete (especially if the local fire warden is part of the local brigade, as is often the case), and can also aid in carrying out the burn.
QFES relies heavily on the permit to light fire system to prevent unnecessary calls from concerned residents and unnecessary dispatching of firefighters. Permits to light fire also help promote fire safety and prevent fires from burning out of control.
Fighting bushfires
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
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.
QFES personnel (both paid and volunteer) and specialised teams (such as the DART USAR team) may also be deployed internationally for major disaster operations, such as wildfires or landslides.
Leadership
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
The QFES employs both professional firefighters and on call paid Auxiliary firefighters to staff its more than 240 urban fire and rescue stations.
Alongside epaulette ranks, Queensland Fire and Rescue firefighters, auxiliaries, and Rural Fire Service paid staff and volunteers also have different helmet colours to identify rank, however they are somewhat limited, with multiple ranks sharing similar or identical helmet colours and/or markings.
Queensland Fire & Rescue Service | Rural Fire Service Queensland | Helmet colour |
---|---|---|
|
|
Black |
|
|
Red |
|
|
Blue |
|
|
Yellow |
|
|
White |
Ranks of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Services are:
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service – Professional Firefighters
- 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
- 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 & RESCUE", crossed branches with laurels
- Deputy Commissioner – Black epaulette with white embroidered "FIRE & RESCUE", 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
- 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
- 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 and Rescue Scientific Branch
Volunteers
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
Volunteers
- 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
- 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)
- Rural Officer 1 – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' with single impeller
- Rural Officer 2 – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' with double impeller
- 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
- Assistant Chief Officer – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' and double impeller and crown
- Deputy Chief Officer – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' and wreath with crossed branches
- Chief Officer – Ink Navy epaulette with white embroidered 'RFS' and wreath with crossed branches and single impeller
Volunteers
- 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
- 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)
- 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
Medals
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service medals and ribbons are worn in accordance with the order of precedence below, from centre 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.[8]
Citations
Citations are worn centrally, 5 mm above the nameplate on the right breast pocket of service shirts, tunics and coats. The order of precedence for citations is :[8]
Commissioner's Unit Citation | ||
![]() |
G20 Citation | Awarded for service during the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit |
![]() |
2010–2011 Queensland Flood and Cyclone Citation | Awarded for service during one or more natural disasters: Cyclone Tasha, Cyclone Yasi, and 2010–11 Queensland floods |
![]() |
XXI Commonwealth Games Citation | Awarded for service during the XXI Commonwealth Games 2018 |
Administrative Regions
Queensland is split into seven regions for administrative purposes with each assigned a region number.
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
Fire and Rescue
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.
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
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.
Number | Type |
---|---|
35 | Ultra Light (UTV) |
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
- ^ Queensland, c=AU; o=The State of. "Frequently Asked Questions | Disaster and Emergency Services Reform". www.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Fire and emergency | Emergency response services". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ "Member Details - Queensland Parliament". Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ a b "QFES, SES To Split Up". southburnett.com.au. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ a b "New Fire Department to call Albion home in 2025". miragenews.com. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Disaster and Emergency Services Reform". qld.gov.au. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Rural Fire Service History". Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ 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.