Queensland State Emergency Service

The State Emergency Service (SES) in Queensland, Australia is a volunteer-based organisation of the Queensland Government and forms part of the Queensland Police Service (QPS), assisting with disaster management as an emergency services auxiliary.

Quick Facts Agency overview, Formed ...

Queensland State Emergency Service

The badge of the Queensland State Emergency Service
Agency overview
Formed	11 December 1975
Preceding agency	Queensland Civil Defence Organisation
Jurisdiction	Queensland
Headquarters	Nundah, Queensland, Australia
Employees	7 regions 19 areas 73 units 337 groups 6,000 members
Annual budget	A$60M (2024)[1]
Minister responsible	Dan Purdie
Agency executives	Steve Gollschewski, Commissioner Mark Armstrong, Chief Officer
Parent agency	Queensland Police Service
Key document	State Emergency Service Act 2024
Website	SES website QPS Facebook page

Close

The current head of the SES is Chief Officer Mark Armstrong.

1970s

From its beginning in 1961 until November 1973, the Queensland Civil Defence Organisation (QCDO) was set up to deal with emergencies in the event of a nuclear war. It took no part in natural disaster operations other than operations following Cyclone Althea in December 1971. In November 1973, a tornado caused considerable damage in the Brisbane area and the QCDO was activated to assist in disaster relief. The QCDO saw a much larger involvement in natural disasters during the 1974 Brisbane flood.^[2]

In 1975, the State Government introduced the State Counter-Disaster Organisation Act 1975, which was proclaimed on 11 December 1975. The Act established two organisations, the State Counter-Disaster Organisation (SCDO), and the State Emergency Service (SES).^[3]

In accordance with section 14 of the Act, the SES was established because there was a need for a service that was capable of dealing with natural disasters, separate to a civil defence role.^[4][5]

2000s

During 2002–03 the Department of Emergency Services undertook a comprehensive review of the State Counter-Disaster Organisation Act 1975 in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. The review resulted in the development of the Disaster Management Act 2003, which commenced by proclamation on 31 March 2004. Following legislation updates on 21 May 2014 the SES was now established under the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990.

The Act maintained many elements of the existing system established under the State Counter-Disaster Organisation Act, while adding contemporary elements such as a focus on comprehensive disaster management, which includes disaster mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

2010s

In 2011, the SES was a recipient of the Queensland Greats Awards.^[6]

2020s

In October 2022, following a review by State Disaster Coordinator Steve Gollschewski, it was announced the QFES would be dissolved in June 2024, resulting in the largest reform of emergency services in Queensland since 1990. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service along with the Rural Fire Service would form the Queensland Fire Department, with a new central headquarters.^[7][8] On Monday 3 June 2024 the SES was transitioned to the Queensland Police Service, and along with a newly created Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ), were made part of the Queensland emergency services; in accordance with the State Emergency Service Act 2024 and Marine Rescue Queensland Act 2024 respectively.^{[7][9][10][11]}

On 25 September 2024, the organisation moved from its headquarters at Kedron to a new headquarters at 1231 Sandgate Road, Nundah, co-sharing with Marine Rescue Queensland.^[12]

The SES is a volunteer-based community-located emergency support service, providing emergency and rescue services in times of natural disasters, and other emergencies.^[11] The main roles are preparing for, and responding to different type of emergencies and disasters from a local level to a national disaster much like the 2010–2011 Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi.

Units are established at local government level, to provide emergency support functions to local communities. These units have separate groups established, depending on population and geographical needs. At present,^[when?] there are 337 SES groups. The SES is designed to empower people to help themselves and others in their community in times of emergency and disaster.^{[citation needed]} The basic concept is one of self-help and mutual assistance within each community.

The SES are trained and equipped to deal with emergencies like:^{[citation needed]}

• Cyclones and storms
• Floods
• Urban search and rescue
• Emergency traffic management
• Vertical rescue
• Road crash rescue
• Searches for missing persons/land searches
• Incident management
• Community education
• Agency support

The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of SES Chief Officer.

Members may be eligible for Australian and Queensland Honours.

SES medals and ribbons are worn in accordance with the strict 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. Members are only eligible for one medal, not both.^[16]

	Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Medal	Awarded for 10 years service, a clasp is added every 10 years following.
	SES Meritorious Service Medal	Awarded for 10 years service, a clasp is added every 5 years following.

Citations

Citations are worn centrally, 5 mm above the nameplate on the right breast pocket of service shirts, tunics and coats. Citation order of precedence is:^[16]

	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
	G20 Citation	Awarded for service during the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit
	XXI Commonwealth Games Citation	Awarded for service during the XXI Commonwealth Games 2018
	SES Citation	Awarded for service during the transition to QPS on 1 June 2024

• State Emergency Service