Queensland Police Service (QPS) has officially welcomed the State Emergency Service (SES) under our guidance and direction.
QPS and SES have always worked closely together and will continue to deliver more capable, connected and coordinated state disaster and emergency responses.
The newly established Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) will also be supported by QPS.
These transitions form part of the Queensland Government landmark reform to boost its world-class disaster and emergency response and recovery services.
Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski attended the landmark event on June 3 at the State Disaster Coordination Centre in Kedron to commemorate this historic moment.
"We have always had really incredibly strong relationships with both of these agencies and we are looking forward to building on that as we go forward," said Commissioner Gollschewski.
What are the changes?
- QPS will expand to incorporate additional disaster management functions of SES and MRQ.
- SES officially transitioned to become part of QPS on June 3.
- MRQ became an entity within QPS from June 3 but the transition of the marine rescue units across the state will start from July 2024.
- SES and MRQ each have a Chief Officer. The Chief Officers are responsible for the strategic and operational functions of their respective entities, and for the day-to-day operations and management of volunteers and employees.
- The SES Chief Officer is Mark Armstrong and the MRQ Chief Officer is Tony Wulff.
SES Chief Officer Mark Armstrong
Who are SES and MRQ
SES is a vital volunteer-based, community emergency support service.
They provide emergency and rescue services to communities impacted by natural disasters and emergencies.
Additionally, they assist local councils and the community with non-life-threatening emergency situations during floods, storms or other local, State and National disasters and emergencies.
You've probably seen them on the news or in real life, in their orange uniforms.
MRQ is Queensland's first integrated marine rescue volunteer organisation, bringing together Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland (VMRQ) and Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA).
Marine rescue volunteers work to keep Queenslanders, and visitors to our state, safe on the water and during disasters.
How will these transitions impact Queenslanders
There is minimal change for frontline police officers but the transition will include more resources and equipment to help keep Queenslanders safe across our vast and varied landscapes, including oceans and waterways.
The combined efforts of QPS, SES and MRQ will continue to strengthen safety and support to Queenslanders.
