Formed 11 December 1975 Minister responsible Bill Byrne MP | Jurisdiction Queensland | |
Preceding agency Civil Defence Organisation Employees 7 Regions
19 Areas
73 Units
337 Groups
6,000 members Agency executives Katarina Carroll APM, Commissioner
Peter Jeffrey, Assistant Commissioner | ||
The Queensland State Emergency Service (QSES) in Queensland is a volunteer based organisation of the Queensland Government and forms part of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), responsible for disaster management and as an emergency services auxiliary.
Contents
The current head of the Queensland State Emergency Service is Assistant Commissioner Peter Jeffrey.
History
In 1975, the State Government established the Queensland State Emergency Service (QSES). This Service evolved from the former Queensland Civil Defence Organisation that had been in operation since 1961.
From its beginning in 1961 until November 1973, the Queensland Civil Defence Organisation 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 Civil Defence Organisation was activated to assist in disaster relief. The Civil Defence Organisation saw a much larger involvement in natural disasters during the 1974 Brisbane floods.
The Queensland State Emergency Service was established because there was a need for a service that was capable of dealing with natural disasters as well as undertaking a civil defence role in the event of armed aggression against the Australian mainland.
In 1975, the State Government introduced the State Counter Disaster Organisation Act, which was proclaimed on 11 December 1975. The Act established two organisations, the State Counter Disaster Organisation (SCDO) and the Queensland State Emergency Service (QSES).
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. The Disaster Management Act 2003 repealed and replaced the State Counter-Disaster Organisation Act when it commenced by proclamation on 31 March 2004. Following legislation updates on 21 May 2014 the SES is now established under the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990.
The Act maintains 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.
QSES Units are established at local government level, to provide emergency support functions to local communities. These QSES Units have separate SES Groups established, depending on population and geographical needs. At present, there are 337 QSES Groups in Queensland. QSES Units and Groups are volunteer based. The QSES is designed to empower people to help themselves and others in their community in times of emergency and disaster. The basic concept is one of self-help and mutual assistance within each community.
Role
The QSES is part of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. QFES is the primary provider of fire, rescue and emergency services within Queensland.
The QSES's 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.
The QSES are trained and equipped to deal with emergencies like;
Ranks
The ranks feature from lowest to highest;
Service medals
For ten years service a member of the QSES would be eligible for the QSES Meritorious Service Medal. Additional service time is recognised by the addition of a bar upon completion of 15 years service.
The National Medal is a national long service medal awarded by the Australian Honours System which is awarded for 15 years service. Additional service time is recognised by the addition of a bar every 10 years thereafter. For example, someone who served 20 years in the Queensland Police and 10 years in the SES for a further 15 years would have the National Medal with Bar for 25 recognised years.
The National Emergency Medal is awarded to Members of the SES who rendered sustained service during specified dates in specified places in response to nationally-significant emergencies within Australia. To date there have only been two events being the Black Saturday bushfires recognised by the Bar 'Vic Fires 09' and the 2010–2011 Queensland floods which was combined with Cyclone Yasi regognised by the bar ' Qld 2010–11 '.
The Emergency Services Medal is a distinguished service decoration which all members of the Australian emergency services are eligible for. Recipients of the Emergency services medal are permitted to use of the Post-nominal ' ESM '.
2010-2011 Queensland Flood and Cyclone Citation.