RESILIENT AND READY FOR THE PEOPLE OF QUEENSLAND · BORDER OPERATIONS QFES helps stop the spread ON...

Q U E E N S L A N D ’ S O F F I C I A L F I R E A N D E M E R G E N C Y S E R V I C E S M A G A Z I N E

R E S I L I E N T A N D R E A D Y F O R T H E P E O P L E O F Q U E E N S L A N D

EDITION 31

Shining a light in isolationANZAC Day 2020

2 RESPONSE Edition31June2020 www.qfes.qld.gov.au | 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

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CONTENTS

EDITION

HIGHLIGHTS

8

10

4ADAPTING TO COVID-19

Exploring new ways to work

LIGHT UP THE DAWN

ANZAC spirit shines bright

BORDER OPERATIONS

QFES helps stop the spread

ON THE COVERRoundMountainRuralFireBrigadeFirstOfficerIanHemerik’sgrandsonChayseatanANZACmemorialinfrontofthestation.Chayse’suniformwasmadebyMargieFreestun.

RESPONSE isabi-monthlymagazineproducedbytheQueenslandFireandEmergencyServices.Contributionsandfeedbackarewelcome.TheEditorreservestherighttoeditsubmissionsforbrevityandclarity.

Address:Responsemagazine,Media,CommunicationsandOnlineBranch,QueenslandFireandEmergencyServices,GPOBox1425,Brisbane,QLD,4001Editor: JarrydLukePhone:0736353314Email:[email protected]:MartynHewettEmail:[email protected]:DexartGraphicDesignEmail:[email protected]

Q U E E N S L A N D ’ S O F F I C I A L F I R E A N D E M E R G E N C Y S E R V I C E S M A G A Z I N E

R E S I L I E N T A N D R E A D Y F O R T H E P E O P L E O F Q U E E N S L A N D

EDITION 31

Shining a light in isolationANZAC Day 2020

>> CommemoratingANZACDay 4>> Newwaysofworking 8>> Stoppingthespread 10>> OperationCoolBurn 11>> OurRoyalCommissionroadmap 12>> WelcometothenewestQFESrecruits 14>> Aworldleaderintraining 15>> Risingstars 16>> ThermalimagerstoaidSESlandsearches 18>> TenyearsoftheOperationsManagementSystem 19

AROUND THE STATE

>> NorthCoastRegion 20

>> FarNorthernRegion 21

>> BrisbaneRegion 22

>> SouthEasternRegion 23

>> SouthWesternRegion 25

>> CentralRegion 26

>> NorthernRegion 27

CELEBRATE

>> Hanginguptheirhelmets 28

COMMUNITY

>> WearOrangeWednesday 31

>> HomeFireSafetygetsfreshlook 31

GALLERY 32

SPOTLIGHT

>> ASwedishexchange 34

RESPONSEEdition31June20203www.qfes.qld.gov.au | 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

GREG LEACHCommissionerQUEENSLAND FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICESAstheCOVID-19restrictionsinQueenslandease,it’sgoodtoreturntosomeofourusualwaysofworking.

QFEShasbeenthereeverystepofthewaytosupportQueenslandersthroughthepandemic,withourstaffandvolunteerstakingonavarietyofrolestohelpstopthespread.

ThishasincludeddeploymentsattheStateHealthEmergencyCoordinationCentre,airportsandtheNewSouthWalesborder,aswellassupportthroughtheStateDisasterCoordinationCentre.

YourworkhascontributedtotheexcellentprogressQueenslandhasmadeinkeepingCOVID-19casesfromenteringourstate.

Ofcourse,wecannotaffordtoletourguarddownandmustcontinuetofollowhealthdirectivestoensureQueenslandremainsasafeplaceforeveryone.

Nowthattravelrestrictionsareeasing,Iamlookingforwardtovisitingourregionsagain.

IreallyenjoyedmeetingstaffandvolunteersonmytourofQueenslandatthestartoftheyear.

It’shardtobelievehowmuchthingshavechangedsincethen,andI’vebeenreallyimpressedbythewayeveryonehasbeenabletoadaptchangequicklyandcontinuetoserveourQueenslandcommunity.

TheCOVID-19restrictionshaveledmanyofyoutodevelopnewideasandprocesses,andIamexcitedtohearabouttheseinnovativeprojects–youcanreadaboutsomeofthemonpage8.

Asyouknow,theRoyalCommissionintoNationalNaturalDisasterArrangementsiswellunderway.Iurgeyoutoreadthearticleonpage12whereyouwillseeamapofthesignificantamountofworkourRoyalCommissionTaskforceisundertaking.

Intimesofneed,ourcommunitylookstousforsupport,andthisyearhascertainlybeennoexception.ThankyouallforupholdingQFES’outstandingreputationinthewayyouhavestoodbythecommunityoverthelastfewmonths.

MIKE WASSING AFSMDeputy CommissionerEMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE Afterseveralchallengingmonths,I’mpleasedtoseewearehavingsomereprievefromtheCOVID-19restrictions.Notjustinourpersonallives,butinouroperations,servicesandtraining.

TheeasingofourPandemicPreparednessLevel3(PPL3)RestrictionsinMayallowedustorecommenceface-to-facetrainingforvolunteersandauxiliaryfirefighters,andholdBrigade,UnitandGroupmeetings,withlimitednumbers.Whilewehavetomaintainphysicaldistancing,itallowsustoreconnectandprepareourvolunteerstosupportthecommunity.

OneofthepositiveoutcomesofCOVID-19istheinnovativeapproacheswe’vetakentoservicedeliveryandtraining.It’sprovideduswiththeopportunitytoidentifywhatworksandwaystoharnessthelessonswe’velearned.

WearepleasedtohavereceivedtheStateEmergencyService(SES)ReviewconductedbyCampbellDarbyandwillcommunicatefurtherdetailsregardingthereportverysoon.ItisasignificantpieceofworkthatwillassisttodrivethefuturedirectionoftheSES,soit’sessentialwetakeourtimetogetitright.We’llhaveongoingconversationswithallSESmembers,Councilsandotherkeystakeholdersthroughouttheprocess.

TheRoyalCommissionintoNationalNaturalDisasterArrangements(theBushfiresRoyalCommission)hasbeenunderwaysinceMarch,withpublicsubmissionsandhearingstakingplace.WeexpectthefindingstobereleasedonAugust31andwillengageourworkforceindiscussionsasweimplementrecommendations.

It’sfairtosaythat2020hasbeenatrulyextraordinaryyearsofar.Despitethemanychallenges,wehavecontinuedtosupportanddeliverprofessionalservicestotheQueenslandcommunity.Ourongoingcommitmentwillprovevitalaswepreparefortheupcomingbushfireseason.

Thankyoutoallourvolunteersfortheirongoingdedicationoverthelastfewmonths.Ilookforwardtoyourcontinuedleadershipandengagementinworkingwithyourlocalcommunity.

HON CRAIG CRAWFORDMinisterMINISTER FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICESQueenslandhasmadeexcellentprogressinflatteningthecurveandminimisingthespreadofCOVID-19.Weareoneofthesafestplacestoliveinaworldwherethepandemichastakenhundredsofthousandsoflives–butwemustcontinuethegoodworkputinplace.Asrestrictionsease,itisvitalthatweremainvigilantandkeepupthepracticesthathaveseenussucceedsofar–physicaldistancing,goodhygiene,andstayinghomeandgettingtestedifunwell.

Asemergencyserviceworkers,thecommunitylookstoyouforguidance,supportandleadershipindifficulttimes.Asthehealthresponsemovesintoeconomicrecovery,youwillcontinuetohaveanimportantrole,andIknowyouwillcontinuetorepresentQFESadmirably.

Forthoseonthefrontline,Ithankyouforyourdedicationtodutydespitetherisks,andforthoseinsupportroles,Ithankyouforbeingsoflexibleandadaptabletonewandinnovativewaysofworking.Asanorganisation,youhaveallensuredthefireandemergencyservicesthecommunityreliesuponhaveremainedlargelyunaffectedbythepandemic.

Ourvolunteershavebeenonthefrontlines,too,takingondifferenttaskstoservetheircommunitieswhilecopingwiththeirownchangedpersonalcircumstances.WecelebratedNationalVolunteerWeekinMay,andalthoughthecelebrationswerealittledifferentthisyear,Iwanttoaddmypersonalthanksforyourongoingdedicatedservice.

Ilookforwardtobeingabletogetbackouttovisitstations,brigades,groupsandofficesacrossQueenslandshortly–itreallyisoneofthebestpartsofmyjobtobeabletomeetthewonderfulpeopleofQFESandhearfirst-handaboutyourexperiencesandsuccesses.

FOREWORDS


COMMUNITY

Asthesunroseon25April,QFESmembersacrossthestaterememberedallveteransforANZACDay.

TheReturnedandServicesLeague(RSL)didn’tletCOVID-19stoppeoplefromcommemoratingtheday,soralliedthecommunitytoembraceLightuptheDawn–anopportunitytostandattheendofyourdrivewayandremember.

Queenslanderscameoutintheirthousands,sharingafriendlynodandwavefromacrossthestreet,andstandinginunisonastheylistenedtotheLastPost.

MarchingintheANZACDayparadeisaproudtraditionformanyQFESmembers,sopeopleshowedtheirrespectindifferentwaysthisyear.

RhiessHonor,anauxiliaryfirefighterfromBundaberg,listenedtotheAustralianWarMemorialbroadcastashestoodinhisdriveway.

“ANZACDayisveryimportanttomeasmysisterandbrother-in-lawarebothintheRoyalAustralianAirForce(RAAF)andhaveservedoverseasinrecentyears,”Rhiesssaid.

“MygreatgrandfatherandhisbrotheralsoservedinWorldWarI,withmygreatgrandfatherinvolvedinthefamouscavalrychargeonBeershebain1917,whichledtothesurrenderoftheTurkishforces.

“Thisyearalsomarkedthe75thanniversaryoftheSandakanDeathMarchesinNorthBorneoin1945,wheremyfamilylostarelative.HewasthesameageaswhatIamnow.

“I’mextremelyproudoftheserviceofmyfamilyandalwaysreflectandpayrespecttothosewhoserve,haveservedorhavemadetheultimatesacrificeforallofus.”

JulieCarmody,SecretaryoftheHorseshoeBayRuralFireBrigadeonMagneticIsland,saidbrigademembersstoodtallonANZACDay.

“OurbrigadeisatthebaseofthefoothillsthathouseTheForts–aseriesofWorldWarIIinstallationsthatwereparamounttotheprotectionoftheislandandTownsvilleduringWorldWarII,”Juliesaid.

“WewerehonouredtohaveourneighbourAndrewDajski–awell-knownjazzmusician–performtheLastPostviaspeaker.

“Welaidawreathmadefromislandwattleandnativegrevilleaattheflag.

“TobeapartofsuchawonderfulandgenerouscommunitysurelyembodiesthetrueANZACspirit.”

MiraniStateEmergencyService(SES)GroupLeaderandPresidentoftheMiraniSub-BranchRSLJanLindbergsmarkedtheoccasionwithherson.

“IamproudtobeintheSES,andshowourcoloursandflag,butjustwishedIcouldhavedonemore,”Jansaid.

“TheatmosphereinourtownwasoneofinclusionandeveryonewastalkingaboutwhattheyweregoingtodoforANZACDaythisyear.

“WecouldhearthebuglersoundingtheLastPostfromafar,whichwasverymoving.

“Itissoimportantforustocommemoratethosewhogavetheirlivesforourcountryandthosewhoarestillserving.

“Manyex-servicemenandwomenhavejoinedemergencyservices,eitherpaidorvolunteer.Wedonotforget,itisourhistory,ourcommunity,ourcountry.LestWeForget.”

MattBrown,anauxiliaryfirefighterfromANZACAvenueFireandRescueStation,saiditwasanhonourtocommemorateANZACDayfromthetopofhisdrivewayinthecompanyofhiswifeHannahandtheirdogsBriggsandTerry.

“ThiswasourfirstANZACDaysincemyPoppassed,soIfeltfortunatetobeabletowearmyQFESuniformaswellashisservicemedals,”Mattsaid.

“HeservedintheRAAFduringWorldWarII,deployedtoBorneo.HepassedawayinSeptemberjustshyofhis95thbirthday.PopalwayskepthismedalsandthefamilydecidedIwouldbetheircustodiannow.IworethemwithprideonmyQFESuniform.

“Mybrother-in-lawhasalsobeeninthearmyforoveradecadeandservedinAfghanistan.

“Thisdayhasalwaysbeenimportantinmyfamily.Youdon’tknowwhereyou’regoingifyoudon’tknowwhereyou’vebeen.”

ANZAC spirit shines bright Physical distancing didn’t stop us coming together to commemorate ANZAC Day this year, with people showing their respect in different ways.


COMMUNITY

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1. Auxiliary firefighter Michael Robson from North Coast Region.

2. Members of The Ridge Rural Fire Brigade – Tracy and Dale Pukallus and Brian Weier.

3. Emerald SES Group.

4. Carla Adams with Beau and Arrow, Central Region.

5. Horseshoe Bay Rural Fire Brigade. Photo by Kobie Rhodes, Roadwarrior Productions.

6. Auxiliary firefighter Noo Shepherd in Warwick.

7. Mirani SES members Jan and Erik Lindbergs.

8. Bundaberg SES Unit member Wayne Cameron with grandson Zack.

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COMMUNITY

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COMMUNITY

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9. Gladstone Fire and Rescue Station.

10. Kawana SES member.

11. Moore Park Beach.

12. Jimboomba Fire and Rescue Station. Photo by Gail Steppens.

13. B Shift ANZAC Day service at Kemp Place Fire and Rescue Station. Photo by Paul Mullens.

14. A/Bushfire Safety Officer, South Western Region Michael Welsh with his three daughters.

15. Auxiliary firefighter Matt Brown from ANZAC Avenue Fire and Rescue Station.

16. The Brisbane Coastguard in Manly Harbour.

17. Round Mountain Rural Fire Brigade.

18. Samsonvale Rural Fire Brigade. Photo by Liane Henderson.

19. Lieutenant Perry Jones from Boonah Fire and Rescue Station.

20. Proserpine SES members Greg and Amander Yuskin.

21. Mt Larcom SES member Cassie Wilcox.

22. Deputy Local Controller, Scenic Rim East SES Sandy Bell.

23. Roma Street Fire and Rescue Station.

24. Bundaberg auxiliary firefighter Rhiess Honor.

25. Craignish auxiliary firefighter Sue Edward.

26. Far Northern Region Captain Ashley Cupitt OAM.


CAPABILITY

New ways of workingThe last few months have changed the way we think about work, and people across QFES have been experimenting and innovating to embrace the new normal.

wegoteveryonetostartlearningbasicskillswithouthavingtocomein.”

TheprojectwassupportedbytheirLocalControllerandAreaOffice,andwentevenbetterthanexpected.

“Wethoughtwe’dspendalotoftimesortingoutITissues,butmostpeopleaccessediteasilyandeveryonewasabletoparticipate,”Nicolesaid.

“Therecruitsappreciatedtheengagement,andmanywereexcitedwhenwetoldthemtheirmembershiphasbeenapproved.Theycouldn’twaittogetstarted.”

Sowhat’snextfortherecruits?

“We’llintroducethemtokeystaff,runthroughtheirinduction,givethemavirtualwalkthroughofourheadquartersandthenmakeastartonteachingknotsandfirstaid,”shesaid.

“We’realsogettingeveryonefamiliarwithOneDrivesowecanprovideeLearningcoursesforthemtocompleteathome.”

Virtual scenarios for auxiliary firefighters

AuxiliaryfirefightersintheScenicRimhavecomeupwithanovelwaytocontinue

theirtrainingduringlockdown,meetinguponMicrosoftTeamseveryweektoworkthroughvirtualscenarios.

ChrisThompson,anauxiliaryfirefighterfromBeaudesertFireandRescueAuxiliaryStation,saidthey’dalreadystartedusingTeamsfordocumentsharingandvideoconferencingbeforethepandemic,sotakingtheirtrainingonlinewasanaturalevolution.

“WhentheCOVIDrestrictionscamein,westoppedtrainingfortwoweeks,butwestartedwonderinghowwecouldkeepitgoing,”Chrissaid.

“Wedotwohoursoftrainingaweek.Thecommunityexpectsustobe100%onourgameandwelltrained.Theyexpectanddeserveaprofessionalcrewtoturnuptotheirworstday.”

Chris,inconjunctionwithCaptainAndrewRoseandfirefightersPetaMiller-RoseandMatthewHarris,devisedawaytouseTeamstoworkthroughsimulatedincidentssuchashousefires,carcrashesandHAZMAT.

“Itooksomephotosofmyhouse,addedfireandsmokeinPhotoshop,thensharedmyscreentoguidethemthroughthescenario,”Chrissaid.

COVID-19 has brought great upheaval, but new opportunities have also appeared. From video calls to working from home, we are adapting our services and operations to our changing environment, and many of these solutions will no doubt persist into the future.

SES recruits train online

WhenStateEmergencyService(SES)recruitsinTownsvilleandThuringowaattendedtheirfirstmeetingwiththeirtrainersinmid-April,itlookedverydifferenttolastyear’straining.

Insteadofmeetinginperson,morethan40newrecruitsmetonlinefortheirinductionandreceivedinformationpacksinthemailtohelpthemstarttraining.

SESTownsvilleGroupLeaderNicoleBradleysaidthegroupthoughtoutsidetheboxtokeepforgingaheadforthecommunity.

“Oneofourbiggestchallengeswasfindingawaytoengagewitheveryoneatthesametimeandstilladdapersonaltouchlikeputtingfacestonames,”Nicolesaid.

“Emailcanbeabitimpersonal,sowestartedusingvideoconferencing.Oneofthechallengeswasfindingmeaningfulthingstodo.Bydeliveringpackswithtrainingaids,

South Eastern Region EMC Amanda Rosman delivering disaster management training for the newly elected Ipswich Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Teresa Harding.

Northern Region EMC Elliott Dunn delivering training via teleconference for the newly appointed Local Disaster Management Group Chair and Deputy Chair on Mornington Island from his office in Mount Isa.

New SES recruits from Townsville and Thuringowa met online for their induction.

South Eastern Region EMC Daryl Hangar delivering training remotely to participants at Somerset Regional Council in Esk.

Auxiliary firefighter Matthew Harris leading a virtual training session.

A virtual scenario of a house fire used for training auxiliary firefighters in the Scenic Rim.


CAPABILITY

haven’tstoppedQFESEmergencyManagementCoordinators(EMC)fromdeliveringdisastermanagementtrainingandcapabilitydevelopmentprogramstokeystakeholders.

Inmid-MarchtheEmergencyManagementTrainingCommand(EMTC)implementedtheCOVID-19DisasterManagementTrainingStrategytotransitiontoremoteanddistancetraining.

ExecutiveManagerEMTCJaneZsomboksaidtheyalsomadegreateruseofeLearningprogramsviatheDisasterManagementLearningManagementSystem(DMLMS).

“WeadaptedourstandardtrainingdeliverymechanismstocontinuedeliveringQueenslandDisasterManagementTrainingFramework(QDMTF)programsunderCOVID-19socialdistancingandtravelrestrictions,”Janesaid.

“It’sparamountfordisastermanagementstakeholderstokeeptheirtrainingup-to-dateduringthepandemic,andourstrategyensureswecontinuedeliveringQDMTFprogramsforlocalgovernmentelectedofficials.”

EmergencyManagementCoordinatorsareworkinginclosecollaborationwithlocalgovernmentstoprovidetrainingfornewappointmentstokeydisastermanagementrolesfollowingthelocalgovernmentelections.

SouthEasternRegionEMCAmandaRosmansaidEMCshaveadaptedwelltothechangeindeliverymethods.

“Whileface-to-facetraininghascontinued–providedthesafetyandwellbeingofparticipantsandEMCscouldbeensured–mosttraininghasbeenconductedremotelyviadigitalplatforms,”Amandasaid.

EMTChasdevelopedoradaptedarangeofresourcesandprocessestosupportEMCstoimplementremoteanddistancetraining.

TheCommandhasalsodevelopedextracapabilitydevelopmentprogramstobringagreaterfocusonhazard-specificarrangementsandCOVID-19operations.

JanesaidmanyelementsoftheCOVID-19DisasterManagementTrainingStrategywouldberetainedafterthepandemictomaintaintheflexibilityoftheirtrainingdelivery.

“Whileface-to-facedeliverywillalwaysbepreferred,elementsofthisstrategywillbesuitableforremotestakeholderswhenaccessibilityisoftenimpactedbyseasonallimitations,”shesaid.

FormoreinformationondisastermanagementtrainingpleasecontactyourlocalEMCorEMTCviaDMTraining.Feedback@qfes.qld.gov.au.

“Theyrole-playedcommunicatingwithFireCom,policeandambulanceofficers.WealsoplayedvideosofburninghousesfromYouTube.

“Itdidn’ttakeuslongtogetpastthetechnicalissues.Nowwe’reonlylimitedbyourimagination.

“Wecanalsorecordthesessionsandplaythembacktorefreshourskills.”

ChrissaidtheirAreaCommanderwasverysupportiveandtheywerenowrunningtrainingthroughTeamsforeverystationinScenicRimCommand.

“Itgivesourleadershipteamtheabilitytologinfromhomesofirefighterscanaskthemdirectlyaboutwhat’shappeningintheregion.Itreallygivesfirefightersasensetheirconcernsarebeinglistenedto,understoodandactedon.

“WesternCommandswithlongdistancesbetweenstationsareinterestedinusingthisprogramevenafterCOVID-19restrictionsarelifted.Wekeepthinking,howdidwenotseethissooner?Thepossibilitiesareendless.”

Adapting disaster management training

Fromsouth-eastQueenslandtoMorningtonIslandintheGulfofCarpentaria,COVID-19physicaldistancingandtravelrestrictions


OPERATIONS

Stopping the spread

Tostopthespreadofthevirus,theQueenslandPoliceService(QPS)establishedpatrolcheckpointsattheborderwithNewSouthWales,prohibitingentrytoanyonewithoutanexemption.

SinceearlyApril,StateEmergencyService(SES)membershavesupportedborderoperationsatfourcheckpointsattheGoldCoast,includingtheGoldCoastHighwayandtheM1.

ActingLocalControllerSESGoldCoastUnit,BretFournier,saidtheyperformedarangeoftaskssuchassupplyingandinstallingmarquees,operatinghandsanitiserstationsandcarryingoutgeneralduties.

“WehelpedQPScollectmotoristdataandregistermotoristswhohadtroubleaccessingthebordercontrolwebsiteforpasses,”Bretsaid.

“Wealsoprovidedcommunityengagement–advisingmotoristsofthe1.5metrerule,givingtheminformationonquarantineproceduresandremindingthemtowashtheirhands.

“Weusedarosterofthreeeight-hourshifts,with12memberspershift.OurcollaborationwithQPS,theAustralianDefenceForceandtheDepartmentofTransportandMainRoadswasexemplary.

“Thisexperiencehasallowedusalltobuildbetter,strongerrelationshipsbetweenserviceswhileallowingforourvolunteers

tounderstandhowtheSESfitsinthebigpictureunderthedifferentlevelsofgovernment.

Bretsaidthebiggestchallengefortheirunitwasnotknowinghowlongtheborderwouldhavetobeclosed,alongwiththeriskofputtingvolunteersonthefrontline–askingtheirmemberstodosomethingthatcouldaffecttheirentirefamily.

“WeintheGoldCoastUnitprideourselvesonbeingonebigfamily,”Bretsaid.

“EverydayandnightIhaveensuredoneofmymanagersincludingmyselfvisitseverysitetoensureourteamandthoseweareassistinghaveeverythingtheyneed.

“Wehavegainedabetterrespectfromthepublicandtheotheragenciesfortheprofessionalismandcompassionavolunteerhas.

“Asimplethankyougoesalongwayandreallydoesgivethosereceivingitafeelingofgratitude.”

Arrivals from the air

TheSES,RuralFireServiceandFireandRescueServicehavealsosupportedborderoperationsatQueenslandairports,helpingQPSmeetarrivalflights.

AreaControllerFarNorthernRegionSeanMcGuinnesssaidQFESmembersplayedanimportantroleatCairnsAirport.

“WeassistedQPStomeetinterstateandthenallarrivalflightscomingin,”Seansaid.

“Wewerethereincasesomeonepresentedrequiringmedicalattention–wewouldmonitorthemandrespondasnecessaryuntiltheQueenslandAmbulanceServicearrived.

“WehaveagreatworkingrelationshipwithQPSintheFarNorthernRegion,andworkingwiththemonthiswasagoodopportunitytorespondtothenecessarymeasuresimplementedduringCOVID-19.”

HesaidachallengewasthatSESmemberswerenotallowedtoaccesstheareasbeyondtheairportgatesbecausetheSESdoesn’tautomaticallyreceiveclearanceunlessinanemergency.

“InitiallythisiswhereQPSwantedustobestationedtokeepthearrivingpassengersseparatedwhilewaitingtobeinterviewed,”hesaid.

“WeworkedwithaQPSseniorofficertosetupasuitableareajustinsidethearrivalhallsowecouldmaintainphysicaldistancingbetweenthepassengersandkeeptheinterviewprocessflowingwell.

“AnumberofpeopletooktheopportunitytospeakwithourmemberstoshowtheirappreciationfortheworkwearedoinginresponsetoCOVID-19,”Seansaid.

When Queensland closed its borders in March for the first time since the 1919 Spanish Flu, QFES staff and volunteers were ready to help protect the state from COVID-19.

SES members underwent health checks before commencing duty at Cairns Airport. Commissioner Greg Leach visited the SES crews assisting QPS at the border.


OPERATIONS

Getting ready for bushfire seasonQFES crews across the state are undertaking mitigation activities as part of Operation Cool Burn to prepare for this year’s fire season.

COVID-19restrictionshavealsosetuschallengesinthewaywegettheseimportantmessagesacross.HoweverregionsandQFESMediahaveusedvariousmethodstoworkwithintherestrictionsandgetthejobdone.

“ThankyouagaintoallpersonnelwhohavebeencontributingtoplanningandimplementingOperationCoolBurnthisyear,”Jamessaid.

“PleasekeepupthegoodworksowecanachieveQFESandourpartners’commongoalofhavingQueenslandcommunitiesassafeandwell-preparedaswecanwhenthebushfireseasonstarts.”

Success stories

QFESandlandmanagementagenciesareundertakinghazardmitigationactivitiesacrossBrisbaneRegionwithover130activitiesplannedduringOperationCoolBurn.

Oneoftheregion’smajorprojectsistheHouseMountainRangeFireManagementStrategy,developedasaresultofprivatelandownersworkingwithRuralFireBrigades,MoretonRegionalCouncilandtheQueenslandParksandWildlifeService.

VolunteersfromSamfordRuralFireBrigademappedabout2000hectaresofbushlandeastofMtGlorious,adjacenttoveryhigh-riskcommunities,tostarttheimplementationoftheplan.

MtNebo,SamfordandCloseburnRuralFireBrigadeswereinvolvedintheplanningandfuelloadassessments,andconductedtrialburnsinsmallareasinreadinessforthelargerportionsoflandburntinJune.

Thestrategywillbeimplementedoverfiveyearstodevelopamosaicofassetprotectionandecologicalburns.

InlateMay,brigadesfromtheCabooltureandPineRiversGroupscombinedtoundertakea60-hectarehazardreductionburnatNarangba,eradicatingweedsandincreasingabufferzonearoundtheNarangbaResidentialEstate.

ThisprovidedachanceforthebrigadestoincorporateIncidentManagementtrainingandfieldoperations.

Duetothesizeandnatureoftheburn,anIncidentManagementTeam(IMT)wasestablishedandtheburnwassectorisedtomanageitandallocateresourcestoachievethedesiredoutcome.

Thehazardreductionburnwasasuccess,demonstratinghowmultiplebrigadesandgroupscouldinteractandallowingIMTstrategiestobetestedinalivescenariotoensurevolunteerswerepreparedfortheupcomingfireseason.

OperationCoolBurnstartedon1AprilandisscheduledtorununtiltheendofAugust.ThankstosomegreatworkbyQFESpersonnelandourAreaFireManagementGrouppartners,QFEShasplannedmorethan600activities,withnearly140completedbylateMay.

ExecutiveManagerBushfireMitigation,JamesHaig,saiditwasyettobeseenhowthewinterweatherwouldaffectthelandscape,butheavygrassfuelloadswerecuringrapidlyinanumberofareas.

“ThishighlightstheimportanceofmakingthemostofweatherwindowsduringOperationCoolBurnandhavingaflexibleandagileapproachtoreducingbushfirerisk,”Jamessaid.

“Althoughit’scalledOperationCoolBurn,hazardreductionburningactivitiesareonlyonepartofpreparingforasaferbushfireseason.

“Workingwithourlandmanagementpartnersandourcommunitiesisequallyimportant.

“Thisyearwe’vehadastrongfocusonrecognisingthecommunityasakeypartner,sharingmessagesaboutlocalbushfirerisksandsupportingthemtopreparetheirfamiliesandproperties.Thisisacriticalcomponentinreducingtheimpactsofbushfires.”

Atthesametime,manyofourlandmanagementpartners—suchasQueenslandParksandWildlifeService,HQPlantationsandlocalgovernments—havebeenbusyupgradingkeyfirebreaksinthemostat-riskareas.

Gold Coast firefighters conducting a hazard reduction burn.

A hazard reduction burn at Narangba.


STRATEGY

Our Royal Commission roadmap It has been called the Black Summer of Bushfires – Australia’s extreme bushfire season in 2019-20 resulted in devastating loss of life, property and wildlife across the nation.

ThefirstceremonialhearingoftheCommissionwasheldon16April,followedbyfurtherhearingsinMayandJune.Thesehearingscanbeviewedatnaturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au.

Witnesses

Thehearingscanaskwitnessesallmannerofquestionsbasedonthesubmissionsfromagencies,staff,volunteers,councilsandthecommunity.

TheQFESRoyalCommissionTaskforcehasdevelopedawitnesskitwithasuiteofdocumentsandcontactstomaketheprocesseasiertonavigate.

OurwellbeingteamandtheFireandEmergencyServicesSupportNetwork(FESSN)arealsoavailabletoassist.AnypersonwhoisrequestedtogiveevidencebeforetheCommissionwillreceivefullsupportfromthetaskforce.

Next steps

MrLeachsaidQFEShadgonethroughsignificantchangesinthepastfewyearsandwouldcontinuetodosoasweadjustandlookatthePrevention,Preparedness,ResponseandRecoveryprocessandhowweworkmorecloselywithotherjurisdictionsintothefuture.

“TheRoyalCommissionwillhanddownitsfindingsandrecommendationson31August.QFESwillthenhaveasignificantprogramofworktoadjustitsbusinessbasedontherecommendations,”hesaid.

TheRoyalCommissionhasalsolaunchedthe2019-20 Bushfire History Projecttodocumentthebushfiresaspartofournation’shistory.Peopleareinvitedtosubmitphotosandvideostakenduringthebushfiresandtheongoingrecovery.

Formoreinformation,visittheGatewayorwww.naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au.

ThebushfireshaveprofoundlyaffectedcommunitiesacrossAustralia,andthechangingglobalclimatecarriesrisksfortheenvironmentandAustralia’sabilitytoprevent,mitigateandrespondtobushfiresandothernaturaldisasters.

Australiaasanationmustadapttoaddresstheconsequencesoflonger,hotter,drierseasonsandsevereweatherevents.

TheRoyalCommissionintoNationalNaturalDisasterArrangementswasestablishedinFebruary2020inresponsetothisdevastatingevent.OncetheRoyalCommissionwasannouncedbythePrimeMinister,thetermsofreferenceweredecidedandthecommissionstartedreceivingsubmissions.

CommissionerGregLeachsaidheencouragedallQFESvolunteersandstafftounderstandtheimplicationsoftheRoyalCommissionandbepartofthechangesthatwillresultfromtheinquiry.

“SubmissionsweresoughtfromacrossAustralia,addressingthemanydifferentaspectsofwhatpeopleexperiencedduringtheseevents,”MrLeachsaid.

“TheCommissionersvisitedfire-affectedcommunitiestoholdforums,gatherevidenceandseefirst-handtheeffectsofthesefires.TheywouldhavevisitedevenmoreifCOVID-19hadn’tlimitedtheirschedule.”

QFESestablishedataskforcetomanagetheorganisation’sresponsetoRoyalCommissionrequestsforinformation.

QFESisrequiredbylawtoprovideinformationasindicatedandmustadheretothestrictformatandtimingsoutlinedbytheRoyalCommission.

“QFESisworkingcloselywithotherQueenslandGovernmentdepartmentsandCrownLawtoprovideresponsesandprepareforRoyalCommissionhearings,”MrLeachsaid.

CrownLawprovidesQFESwithlegaladviceandrepresentationatthehearings.

31 AUG 2020

RC findings and recommendations report due

APR 2020

The RC supplies Notices requesting information

Public submissions close with more than 1400 received

The RC formally commences with Ceremonial Hearing in Canberra

MAY—JUN 2020

RC hearings conducted

MAR 2020

The RC invites the public and agencies to make submissions

FEB 2020

The RC holds public forums in fire-affected areas

Terms of Reference established

PM announces Royal Commission (RC)

>> QFES action plans established

SEP 2020

>> Government considers report and initiates actions to address recommendations

JUN 2020

>> Post-RC planning incorporated into the QFES continuous improvement process

MAY—JUN 2020

>> Witness and hearings preparation

>> QFES Taskforce engages subject matter experts

>> QFES RC strategy and objectives identified and developed

>> QFES Taskforce collects and analyses data

>> QFES RC Bushfire Taskforce established

Improving QFES operational and business practices

Implementation team and program of work established to guide and support change across QFES with collaboration from volunteers, staff and external stakeholders

The work begins>> QFES RC Taskforce commence transition of action plans to business units and regions

SEP 2019 — JAN 2020

QFES operational response during Black Summer Bushfires

3163

FES_

MD

&C

Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements 2020

MoRE iNFoRMAtioN

www.naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au

[email protected]

MoRE iNFoRMATioN

Check the ‘QFES RC Bushfire Taskforce’ Gateway page

[email protected]


14 RESPONSE Edition31June2020

TRAINING

23 new firefighters ready to join their crews QFESfirefighterrankshavebeenboostedwiththerecentgraduationof23firefightersfromRecruitCourse109.

COVID-19presentedchallengesduringtherecruits’training,buttheyperseveredandwillnowembarkonnewcareerssupportingthecommunitywithfireandemergencyresponses.

CommissionerGregLeachcongratulatedtherecruitsandpresentedthemwiththeirCertificateIIinPublicSafety(FireFightingandEmergency).

“Icongratulateallofournewrecruitsontheskillsandcouragetheyhavedisplayedincompletingtheirtrainingtobecomefirefighters,”MrLeachsaid.

RecruitDuncanWestwhowasacircusacrobatbeforejoiningQFESsaidhehadbeenlookingforacareerthatwasmeaningful.

“Iknowthere’llbechallengestofaceeveryday,butI’mproudtorepresentQFESandperformarolewhereIcanreallymakeadifference,”Duncansaid.

HewasawardedtheCommissioner’sDuxAwardforthehighestoverallassessmentandcommitmenttotherecruitcourse.

“ItwasatoughcoursephysicallyandacademicallysoIjustdidwhatIcouldtothebestofmyability,”Duncansaid.

“Theinstructorsweremastersofprogressiveoverload-they’vecertainlyprepareduswellforwhat’sahead.”

Recruitswillcontinuetheirstudiesoverthenextthreeyears,completingaCertificateIIIinPublicSafety(FirefightingandEmergencyOperations)andaCertificateIIIinPublicSafety(CommunitySafety).

Welcome to the newest QFES recruitsRecent firefighter and FireCom graduates will now be deployed across the state.

Award winnersFirefightersDuncan West –Commissioner’sDuxAwardJohn Cummings–DanCampbellAwardformostimprovedfirefighter

Michael Spann –CaltexAwardformostoutstandingpracticalrecruitfirefighter

Jamie Ryan –QBANKRoadCrashRescueAwardfordisplayingthebestpracticalandtheoreticalknowledgeforroadcrashrescues

Andrew Boland–DeputyCommissioner’sSafetyAwardforanexemplaryattitudetowardsbestsafepractice

FireComOwen Hardman –Commissioner’sDuxAwardKari Galea –MostImprovedAwardfordisplayingthegreatestprogressionthroughoutthecourse

Chloe Wilson –DeputyCommissioner’sAwardforshowingexemplarysupportforherfellowrecruits

St

FireCom recruits ready to answer the call for helpQFESwillhaveeightadditionalFireCommunicationsOfficersansweringthepublic’scallsforhelpfollowingtheirgraduationattheSchoolofFireandEmergencyServicesTraining(SFEST)inMay.

CommissionerGregLeachsaidthenewrecruitswerereadytoanswerthecallforhelpafter14weeksofintensivetraining.

“FireComOfficersplayaninvaluablerole,supportingpeopleintheirmostvulnerablemoments,”MrLeachsaid.“Theirresponsecanbethedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath.”

MrLeachpresentedthegraduateswithaCertificateIIIinPublicSafety(EmergencyCommunicationsCentreOperations)andcongratulatedthemontheircommitmentanddedicationincompletingthecourse.

RecruitOwenHardmanfromtheNorthCoastRegionwhoreceivedtheDuxAwardfromCommissionerLeachsaidhewantedtoprovideassistancetothoseinneed.

“IhadconsideredaFireComroleforyearsbeforeapplying–I’mgladIcanbeheretohelpmycommunity,”Owensaid.

“Theinstructorscreatedanexcellentlearningenvironmenttoensurewewerefullyequippedtoperformourroles.

“Ispentaweekinmyregion’sFireComCentrepriortostartingtherecruitcourseandwasdisappointedthatIcouldn’tcontribute.

“It’sagreatfeelingtobebackandreadytoputwhatIlearnedintopractice.”

www.qfes.qld.gov.au | 13 QGOV (13 74 68)


TRAINING

A world leader in training

Beginnings

OriginallyknownastheCommercialDevelopmentUnit,TEMwasestablishedaftertheStaibReviewandtheHilmerReportencouragedallgovernmententitiestooperateasbusinessestoefficientlyreducethetaxburdenonourcommunity.

“TheunitgrewfromtheMountIsaMinesagreementin1998,”Andrewsaid.

“Thisagreementisstillinplacetoday,whichdemonstratestheuniquepartnershipQFEShaswithindustry.”

Early expansion

RobinBoniwell,whoservedwithTEMfrom2010to2016,saidTEMexpandeditsrangeofservicesovertheyearstoincludeurbanfirefighting,roadcrashrescue,technicalrescueandincidentmanagementcoursesforawiderangeofclients.

“Ourclientsincludedcommercialindustrialfirefightingteams,overseasandinterstatefirefighters,interstatewhole-of-governmentincidentmanagementteamsandprivatecontractors,”Robsaid.

“Atitspeak,TEMexpandeditsscopetoprovideadvancedlivefiretrainingcourses,CASA-accreditedaviationfirefightingcourses,bushfiremitigationproductsandservices,standbyoperationalservicesforshipsandmajorevents,majoreventplanningandmaritimesafetycourses,”Robsaid.

TEMwasaninnovationgenerator,seekinguniquepartnershipswithinourcommunityandgrowingQFES’owncapabilityfromtheserelationships.TheQueenslandminingboomprovidedstronggrowthandprofitableincomeforTEMintheearly2000s.

Withtheresourcesectorexpendituredeclineoverthepastfiveyearsandcompetitorsemergingintheprivatesector,achangeindirectionwasneeded.

AndrewSbrizzi,ExecutiveManagerofTEMsince2016,saidthereweremanyshiningexamplesofTEM’spartnerships,includingCityofGoldCoastCouncil,RefrigerationWarehouseTransportAssociation,RedlandsCityCouncil,Locatrix,theminingsectorandmanyQueenslandGovernmentagencies.

TEMalsobuiltlong-standingrelationshipswithmajorinternationalclientssuchasSantos,OriginEnergy,ConocoPhillipsandCaltex.

“MutuallybeneficialagreementswerethebackboneofTEM’ssuccess,becausetheysimultaneouslyimprovedQFESandourpartners,”Andrewsaid.

“Forexample,TEM’scollaborationwiththeminingsectorindirectlyimprovedourowncapability.

“Specialisedtrainingandlessonslearnedwererolledbackintooureducationprogramstoensureourorganisationiscontemporaryandcurrent.”

AccordingtoAndrew,“TEM’szenithwasin2012,whenfederalmitigationcontractsandaboomingminingsectorcreateda26-personteamspreadacrossQueenslandservicingupto150differentclients.”

World-class training

TEMprideditselfonbeingtheindustryleaderinitsfield.

“Theunitusedthesamehigh-qualitytrainingmaterialsasfull-timeprofessionalfirefightersandourtrainingstaffwereexpertsintheirfield,”Robsaid.

“TEMenhancedQFES’reputationthroughthequalityofourservicedelivery–membersofthepublicspecificallyrequestingourfirefightingprofessionalstodelivertheirtrainingcourses.”

Closure

Asaresult,TEMwillcloseon30JuneandQFESwillcontinuetomanageseverallegacycontractsunderstateandregionalcommandstructures.

AssistantCommissionerStephenSmithsaid,“WethankeveryonewhohasworkedwithTEMsince1997,throughtraining,administrationsupportorservicingourcommercialagreements.

“Ourstaffhavebeenworkingtirelesslyaheadofthismonth’sclosure.OurpermanentstaffmembersarebeingofferedmaximumemploymentopportunitieswithQFESandacrossgovernment,includingretraining,deploymentandredeployment.”

From its inception in 1997 to its conclusion in June 2020, the Training and Emergency Management (TEM) unit served the people of Queensland by creating safe and resilient communities through training, advisory and prevention services. With QFES’ strategic imperative now shifting away from proactive commercial services, we reflect on the achievements of the last 23 years.

TEM Aviation Fire and Rescue Training.


YOUTH

Rising stars

Age: 25

Membership: Nine months

Why did you join?

Iwantedamoreactive

andchallengingcareer.

Havingtheopportunity

tohelppeopleintimesof

crisisalsoappealedtome.

What do you like about being a member?

Ilikebeingapartofanorganisationthatismakinga

positiveimpactonthecommunity.Thebestpartofworking

forQFESisthecamaraderie.Teamworkisanintegralpart

ofthejobandIlikeknowingthatnomatterwhatthe

situationis,therestofthecrewhasmybackandiswilling

tohelp.

What is the best experience you’ve had as a member?

I’vebeeninvolvedinalargerangeofincidentsincluding

fires,roadcrash,verticalandevenanimalrescues.Thebest

experiencescomefromknowingyou’vedoneyourpartin

makingsomeone’sworstdayalittlebetter.

What would you say to other young people thinking about joining QFES?

Iwouldhighlyencourageyoungpeopletojoin.Itisagreat

opportunitytolearnavarietyofdifferentskillsandthereis

notajobintheworldthatismorerewarding.

What safety message do you have for the community?

Whilespendingtimeathomesocialdistancing,itisagreat

opportunitytotestyoursmokealarmsandchangethe

batteries.

Age: 22

Membership:

Administration Officer,

Community Safety – three

years

Why did you join?

Agreatjobopportunityfora

greatservice.


Everydayisdifferent.


ThebestexperienceIhavehadisbeinginvolvedinour

RegionalOperationsCentre(ROC)inourrecentbushfires.

IntheROC,youarecontinuouslylearningnewskillsand

knowledgeaswellasmeetingandworkingwithpeople

fromallovertheworld.

What would you say to other young people thinking about joining QFES?

Goforit–thereisawiderangeofopportunitiesandyou

willneverbebored.

BRAYDENMORRICEFire and Rescue Service

BREEMILLSPublic Service

“”

There is so much to do and it is without a doubt worth it so

just do it. Skye Kierys

In the spirit of Youth Week (1-9 April), Response sat down with four young members from across QFES to find out what motivated them to join and what they enjoy about serving their community.


YOUTH

Age: 22

Membership: Calliope Rural Fire Brigade – four years

Why did you join?

I’dfinishedschoolandhadstartedworkingbutIfeltIcoulddosomethingmorewithmytimeandforthecommunity.MumandIwereattheMtLarcomShowwhenwesawthemarqueefortheRuralFireServiceandItoldmumIwasjoiningandsowasshe.AndjustlikethatwebecamemembersoftheCalliopeRuralFireBrigade.


Iloveallthedifferentsidestobeingaruralfirefighter.Whetheritisgoingouttoafirecall,helpingoutinanIncidentControlCentre(ICC)orbeingaVolunteerCommunityEducator,Ilovethemall.


Mybestexperiencewasprobablyduringthe2018-19fires.Itmighthavebeenahardtimeforresidentsandfirefightersalike,butitwassoamazingtoseeeveryoneworkingtogether,withthecommunitypullingtogetherandnotonlyhelpingeachotherbutalsothefirefighters.IhelpedoutintheICCduringthenightshiftandIwasputupinacabinduringtheday.Theownerswereamazingandfriendlyandtookeveryopportunitytoshowtheirgratitudeforwhateveryoneofusweredoing.Thereisnothinglikeacrisistobringacommunitytogetherandthatisthebestexperience.

What would you say to other young people thinking about joining the SES or Rural Fire Service?

Doit!Youneverknowwhereitcouldtakeyouandwhileitseemsscary,Icantellyouitis,butwhatyougetoutofitissomuchmore.Therearemanyopportunitiesthatcanopenforyouandifyoudon’twanttofightfiresthat’sokay,youcanstillbeasupportperson,oraVolunteerCommunityEducator,oryoucanhelpoutattheICCduringbigfires.Thereissomuchtodoanditiswithoutadoubtworthitsojustdoit!

SKYEKIERYSRural Fire Service

Age: 16

Membership: Mirani SES

Group – nine months

Why did you join?

Iwaslookingforsomething

todooutsideofschool,

andIsawthattheSESwas

recruiting.Ithoughtitlooked

interesting,soIjoined.


IreallylikethefriendshipsthatIhavemadeandthe

trainingthatI’vereceived.


ThebestexperiencesI’vehadwouldprobablyhavetobe

whenwegettogetherasaunitanddoexercises.

What would you say to other young people thinking about joining the SES or Rural Fire Service?

Doit.Theexperiencesandtrainingyougetareamazing,

plusitlooksgoodonyourresume.

TANNERGILLState Emergency Service

“”

The best experiences come from knowing

you’ve done your part in making someone’s worst

day a little better. Brayden Morrice


TECHNOLOGY

Thermal imagers to aid SES land searches

TheprogramwaslaunchedinTownsvilleinAugust2019,followedbyfiveofficialhandovereventsacrossQueensland.

Inadditiontothethermalimagers,SESgroupshavereceivedsolarchargingblanketsandiPads,alongwithbattery-poweredlights,defibrillators,vehicleaccessories,powertoolsandstretchers.

ThenewequipmentwasmadepossiblebySESSupportingPartners,EnergexandErgonEnergy(partofEnergyQueensland)andPowerlinkQueensland.

NorthCoastSESRegionalManagerMerrickIlettsaid,“Whetherit’ssearch,stormdamageorverticalrescue,theequipmentishi-tech,robustandhighlyfunctional.ItsupportsSESvolunteerstobeourbest.”

DeputyLocalControllerSunshineCoastSESUnitAramRosssaidhisunitwillusethenewthermalimagerstohelpfindmissingpeopleinlandsearches.

“Wehaverespondedtoseveralurgentsearchesinthemiddleofthenightformissingchildrenorpeoplelivingwithdementia,”Aramsaid.

“Searchesareinherentlydifficult,especiallywhenyoucan’twaituntildaylight,sothermalimagersareincrediblyuseful.”

Aram’sunithasbeentrainingforsearchesbyinsertingheatpacksintodummies,hidingtheminbushlandandusingthethermalimagerstofindthem.

“Thethermalimagershavesevendifferentcolourpalettes,fromblackandwhitetoavarietyofcolours,sowecandetectdifferentheatsignaturesandranges,”hesaid.

“Theycandetectheatupto150metresaway,whichismuchfartherthanwecanusuallyseeduringasearch.Theirtemperaturerangeisfrom-40to330°.

“Wecanalsousethethermalimagerstotakeimagesduringasearchandsavethemforuseasevidence.”

EnergyQueenslandChiefFinancialOfficerPeterScottsaid,“It’sbecauseoftheirdedicationthatweatEnergyQueenslandremainardentadvocatesofQueensland’sSESvolunteersandwhywehavecontinuedtoprovidedirectsupportintheformofnewemergencyequipmentformorethanadecade.”

PowerlinkInterimChiefExecutiveKevinKehlsaid,“PowerlinkisproudtocontinuethispartnershipwithEnergyQueenslandtodelivervitalequipmentthatmakesapositivedifference.”

SESareproudofthislong-standingpartnership,enablingSES,EnergyQueenslandandPowerlinkQueenslandtodeliverbetteroutcomesforourcommunities.

In the last 12 months, 104 SES groups received 157 essential pieces of equipment, including new thermal imagers, thanks to the Energising Qld SES Equipment Program.

The new thermal imagers can detect heat up to 150 metres away.

One of the new thermal imagers being used in land search training.


TECHNOLOGY

Keeping trackhoursinattendanceatincidentsfortrainingpurposesortosupportWorkCoverclaims.”

“Thedataalsoallowsustoplancompliancechecksandcommunityeducation,whichleadstobetterpreparedcommunities.”

Firefightersusethesystemdailytoobtaintheirroster,nominatetheiravailabilityforcallbackandcrewtheirvehicles.

TheRuralFireService(RFS)workforcearesomeofthebiggestusers,becausetheyuseOMSforeverythingfromtheirequipmentandbrigademanagementtoadministration.

OMSprovidesstrategicinformationtohelpQFESmembersmeettheoperationalrequirementsforfrontlineoperationsandlarge-scaleevents.SituationalawarenessinrelationtopersonnelallowsQFEStodeterminecapabilityandcapacityduringeventsandcanassistinassessingwhenreinforcementsarenecessary.

TheusesofOMSdataaresovariedthatit

AsQFES’primaryplanning,rosteringandreportingtool,OMScoversalmostallaspectsofQFES,fromvehiclecrewingtoincidentreporting,trainingandcommunityeducation.

OMShasgrownoverthelast10yearstobecomeingrainedindailyworkacrossQFES.

Manager,DigitalSystems&Services,KarolynMaulesaidamountainofactivitieshavebeenrecordedinOMSwhichhelpsQFESarticulatethebenefitweprovidetothestateofQueensland.

“ThereisamammothamountofdataatQFES’fingertips.It’smuchmorethanjustoperations–OMSisanenterprisesolutionforallofQFES,”Karolynsaid.

“ItholdsrecordsforallQFESmembersincludingSESvolunteerswhohavebeendeployedtolarge-scaleevents.

“OMSassistsustokeeptrackofwhoisonthegroundduringlarge-scaleincidentsaswellasprovidingevidencetosupport

cantellyoueverythingfromwhichbrandofwashingmachinestartsthemostfirestothesizeofaQFESmember’sshoe

QFESregularlyrespondstoenquiriesfromministersandexternalagencies.TheOMSdataisusedtoprovidecrucialinformationforreportssuchastheRoyalCommissionintoNationalNaturalDisasterArrangementsandtheProductivityCommission’sReportonGovernmentServices.

ItisusedtoprovidefundingapplicationstotheQueenslandGovernmentaswellasformingpartoftheAnnualBudgetpapers.

TheOMSsupportcentreprovidesongoingsupporttoallQFESmembersacrossthestate.Theteamhasprocessedmorethan58000supportrequestsaswellasmorethan6600enhancementsandfixeswiththehelpoftheOMSProductionSupportTeamandPSBASoftwareDevelopmentGroup.

SinceNEXUSwentliveinDecember2017,thesupportcentrehasprocessedmorethan39000updaterequeststomakesurepersonneldetailsareuptodate.

You name it, chances are it’s recorded in QFES’ Operations Management System (OMS), which celebrated its 10th year in 2020.

2446 Active Organisational Units

10 593 Third Party Records

27 842 Completed Hazard Reduction Burns Reports

37 973 QFES Personnel

698 490 Completed Incident Reports

90 662 Commercial and Private Premises

944 861 Shifts Rostered

3 707 697 Completed Activities

*This data is current as at 26 May 2020.

A small sample of the volume of information recorded in the Operations Management System:

NORTH COAST REGION

20RESPONSE Edition31June2020 www.qfes.qld.gov.au | 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

AROUND THE STATE

“Fortensofthousandsofyearstheseremotecommunitieshavemaintainedculturalandfamilykinshipconnectionwithoneanother,”Chrissaid.

“TohelpcommunitiesremainCOVIDfree,a14-daymandatoryself-isolationperiodwasintroducedatafacilityintheregionalcentreofCairns.Theisolationwasverydifficultformanypeople.

“Usuallymotherscanhaveculturalandfamilysupportdaysaftergivingbirth,buttheisolationprocesskeptmothersandnewbornsforanadditional14plusdays.”

Otherrestrictionsincludedtheinabilitytobuybasicclothingitems.

“Mostofthecommunitystoreshaveverylimitedcapacitytocarrygeneralitemsweinregionalcentrestakeforgranted,”Chrissaid.

“MostcommunitymemberseithertraveltoCairnsorgetfamilytosenditemsbyairfreightandbargetothem.

“Therestrictionsonnon-essentialtravel,coupledwithsupplydemandsatregionalcentresandpeopleonlybeingabletobuysmallquantities,putpressureoncouncilsandauthoritiestofindwaystoeaserestrictionswithoutcompromisingthehealthandsafetyofcommunity.

“It’samajoroperationandwe’vebeenattendingdailyback-to-backmeetingsoverthephoneandviavideocallstomake

Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities during COVID-19WhentheAustralianGovernmentdeclaredaHumanBiosecurityEmergencyduetoCOVID-19on18March2020,thisenactedemergencyrestrictionsonentrytoremoteAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunities(‘designatedareas’)toslowthespreadofCOVID-19.Theserestrictionshavebeencalleda‘lockdown’andledtoseriouschallengesforthosecommunities.QFEShasbeenworkinghardtosupportthem.

TherationalebehindtherestrictionswastoprotectthecommunitiesfromtheintroductionofCOVID-19,whichcouldhaveledtosignificantlevelsofillnessandevendeaths.AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplesareatriskofhighermortalityfromCOVID-19ascommunitiescanhavehigherlevelsofchronicdisease.

ThreeQFESregions–NorthCoast,NorthernandFarNorthern–haveprovidedadviceandsupporttohelpLocalandDistrictDisasterManagementGroupsmanagetheresponsetoCOVID-19incommunitiesfromCherbourgtoasfarnorthastheTorresStrait,outwesttoBurkeandacrosstoPalmIsland.

ActingEmergencyManagementCoordinatorChrisWeggerfromFarNorthernRegionsaidthethreatofCOVID-19causeddistressinmanyformstopeopleimpactedbythetravelrestrictions.

A vehicle checkpoint at Cherbourg in North Coast Region.

RESPONSEEditionEdition31June202021www.qfes.qld.gov.au | 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

FAR NORTHERN REGION


STRATEGY


AROUND THE STATE

“Ithasbeenimportanttomaintaingoodrelationshipsandtoallworktogether.QFEShassupportedthecommunityandstakeholdersduringthistimeandeveryonewilltakeawaythelessonslearnedfromtheexperience.”

Atthestatelevel,QFEShasbeensupportingtheremoteAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiesthroughtheorganisationandlogisticsforquarantineaccommodation,leadingthedevelopmentoftheStatePandemicPlan,andsupportingthedevelopmentofrapidresponseplanssothestatecanprovidesupporttocommunitiesifthereisanoutbreaktoquicklycontainandcontrolthediseasespread.

QFEShasworkedcloselywithQueenslandHealthandtheDepartmentofAboriginalandTorresStraitPartnershipstodeveloptheprocesstotransitionAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitiesfromthecurrentfederalemergencybiosecurityrestrictionstostate-basedarrangementsunderQueensland’sChiefHealthOfficer’spublichealthdirections.Thiswillallowlocalautonomyandmorecontroloverrestrictionsandeasingofrestrictions.

amendmentstooperationsonadailyandweeklybasis.

“Todatewe’vekeptourFarNorthernRegionIndigenouscommunitiesCOVIDfree.”

NorthCoastRegionRegionalCommunityEngagementOfficerJulieBruyniussaidthetravelrestrictionsrequirebordercontrol,withavehiclecheckpoint,screeningprocessandentrypermitsystems.LocalGovernmentAreashavedevelopedpandemicsub-planstomanagetheresponse.

“QFEShassupportedthesecommunitiesduringlockdownbyprovidinginputintothepandemicsub-plansformaintainingtheessentialsupplychainsforgoodsandservicessuchasfood,postalservicesandmedications,”Juliesaid.

“Forexample,peopleinCherbourg,whichonlyhasonesmallshop,hadtroubleaccessingeverydayitems.

“CherbourgisonlysixminutesfromthelargertownofMurgon,andthecommunitytravelstheredailytoshopandpaybills.

“QFESworkedwithourpartnersandthecommunitytoquicklytrytoestablishadequatemeasurestomeetthedemand.”

SomeoftherestrictionsinCherbourgwererecentlyrelaxedtoallowshoppingonsetdaysandtimes,withlimitednumbersofpeopleinvehicles.

However,planningisstillunderwayincaseofaCOVID-19caseinCherbourgorMurgon,whichwouldresultinatotallockdown.

“CommunicationwiththeAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitieshasbeenextremelyimportant,toensuretheyreceiveclearadviceonwhatishappening,why,whatitmeansforthemandwhattheyneedtodo,”Juliesaid.

“InCherbourg,Iledacommunicationssub-grouptoensureallcommunicationsreinforcedgovernmentmessaging,whilebeingculturallyappropriatetotheCherbourgcommunity.

“Twokeystakeholdersinthegrouparethelocalradiostationandcouncilelders.Ourrelationshipwiththemisvitalastheyareatrustedsourceofinformationandadvisethesub-grouponcommunitysentimentandemergingconcerns.

“WedevelopedacommunicationsplanfortheLocalDisasterManagementGroup,theradiostationconductedinterviewswithcouncilandwell-knownIndigenouscommunitymembers,andweproducedsocialmediacontentandacommunitydirectorydetailinglocalservicesandtheiravailabilityduringCOVID-19.”

Thesub-groupalsodevelopedacommunityinformationsheetthatwenttoeachhouseholdandaflyerstressingtheneedtostockuponfood,medicationsandwinteritemsincaseofatotallockdown.

“Itischallengingforanycommunityandtakestimetomanagerestrictionswhileensuringessentialservicesareinplaceandthatcommunitiesaremanagingphysicallyandmentallythroughtheprocess,”Juliesaid.

CLEAN YOURHANDS OFTEN

SANITISE OFTEN

COVER YOUR MOUTH

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE1.5M

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SHEET

C H E R B O U R G

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SHEET CHERBOURG

This is a strange and new experience for us all. Things will be different for a while and will continue to change as we deal with and confront the Coronavirus crisis. To try and make

that easier for you, we have put together this Community Information Sheet. We have also attached a Community Directory of services you may need plus other information

Keep in contact with loved ones- phone, skype, email, social media.

Touch base with friends you have not seen in a long while.

Keep healthy- the food you eat, take your medications, drink lots of water and stay hydrated, do some exercise

Help children and young people in your home continue their school work and learning

Only listen to or share information from reliable sources - listen to the local radio and check Councils website. The main source of information on the coronavirus is Queensland Health https://www.health.qld.gov.au/ Or https://cherbourg.qld.gov.au/

Do things to help you relax – stay calm. If you feel overwhelmed or upset, don’t try and cope alone, talk to a counsellor or health worker

What can we all do to get us through these tough times:

Keep mentally active- read, play games, do things together in your household you enjoy, learn something new – a book, online

Talk to children and young people calmly and honestly about the virus, limit their exposure to negative news

Use the Department of Communities Hotline 1800 173 349 if the help you need is not in the Community Directory or available.

Mitigation burns underway WithOperationCoolBurninfullswing,BrisbaneRegionRuralFireServiceareworkingcloselywiththeirAreaFireManagementGrouppartnerstoundertaketheir116plannedmitigationburns.Workisalsounderwaywithpre-burnsitepreparationandfirebreakmaintenance.

Tocomplementthemitigationburns,theservicehasdevelopedanextensivecommunityengagementplanthatinvolveskeypartners.AftertheinitialplansforcommunityengagementwereheavilyimpactedbyCOVID-19restrictions,theBushfireSafetyOfficerandRegionalCommunityEngagementOfficerredevelopedtheirplanstoensurethesafetyofstaffandvolunteers.

WorkiscurrentlyunderwaytodevelopaseriesofshortvideostargetingthekeyconceptsdiscussedduringPrepare.Act.Survivepresentationsaswellaspartneringwithlocalcouncilstoundertakeletterboxdropsandmailouts.

Bracken Ridge Fire and Rescue Station starts operations AlthoughitsofficialopeninghasbeendelayedduetoCOVID-19,theBrackenRidgeFireandRescueStationiscompletelyoperationalandservicingtheBrisbanecommunity.

ThestationisthenewestadditiontotheHendraCommand,replacingSandgateFireandRescueStation,whichopenedinAugust1970andservicedSandgateandsurroundingcommunitiesfornearly50yearsuntilitsclosureinMarch2020.

Withsurroundinginfrastructureexpansionandchangingriskstothearea,alargerfacilitythataccommodatedlargerapplianceswasneeded.

TheBrackenRidgestationiscentrallylocatedandprovidescoveragetoover32squarekilometreswithintheNorthernBrisbaneZone.

Asareminderofthestation’shumblebeginnings,theoriginalplaquefromSandgatenowtakesprideofplaceinthefoyer.

Thenewsiteaccommodates10firefightersandincludesamultipurposebuildingdesignedtobetheBrisbaneRegion’sTechnicalRescueHub.Thebuildingfeaturesa40-seatfunction/trainingroom,atrainingtower,officespacesandwarehouse-stylestorage.

Training vodcastsQFEShasintroducedgreattraininginitiativestoadapttoCOVID-19,andtheBrisbaneRegionTrainingTeam’scontributionisanewseriesofvodcaststosupportremotetraining.

AlthoughtheinitiativewasfasttrackedduetoCOVID-19restrictions,theideawasdevelopedbeforethepandemic.

StationOfficerJasonAndersonsaidthemainmotivationforthevodcastswastogivepersonnelthechancetoreceivetrainingwithoutattendingeverysession,sincemanyofthemwerebalancingpersonalpriorities,familyandwork.

“Eachepisodeispresentedbycontentexpertsandprovidesanin-depthexplanationoftopicssuchasSeniorFirefighterandOfficerdevelopment,”Jasonsaid.

“Thisapproachhasthepotentialtoexpandintootherareastomeettheneedsofourpersonnel–theopportunitiesareendless.

“Withhundredsofviewseachweek,theconceptisprovingtobeacompletesuccessandaworthwhileprojectfortheregion.”

Jasonexplainedthattheteam’sgreatestchallengewasthetechnicalaspects,sincetheteambehinditwereallself-taughtwithminimalexperiencewithdigitalmedia.

GuidancefromtheQFESITandMediaunitshelpedthemproducethevodcastatahighquality.

“ThesuccessofthevodcastisdowntotheoverwhelmingsupportfromthisteamaswellasAssistantCommissionerJohnCawcutt,ActingSuperintendentEnesSeferovicandActingInspectorCameronCorneal,”Jasonsaid.

BRISBANE REGION


AROUND THE STATE


Technical rescue training on the WineglassLoganTechnicalRescuecrewsjoinedwithLoganCityCounciltoundertakeaverticalrescueexerciseonawatertowerinBrownsPlains,affectionatelydubbedtheWineglass.

Withastate-of-the-artcouncildronehoveringmetresaway,thecrewsrescuedadummyandgavehimanescortedtripbacktoearth.

TheexercisewasagreatopportunityforLoganCounciltoseeQFEScapabilitiesandallowedcrewstorefreshtheirskillsandenjoyabitoflandmarkspottingaroundtheGreatSouthEast.

ExercisecoordinatorStationOfficerVonNidasaid,“Itwasagreatopportunitytomakeusthinkthroughandtrydifferentwaysofachievingthesameoutcome.

“Everyonehastheirownideas,whichisimportantforproblemsolving,butanexerciselikethisessentiallymakeseveryoneagreeonaplanandgetonboardtoachieveourgoal.”

SOUTH EASTERN REGION


STRATEGY


AROUND THE STATE

New equipment for SES groupsSESgroupsfromacrosstheregionrecentlyreceivednewequipmentthroughtheEnergisingQldSESEquipmentProgram,apartnershipbetweenEnergexandErgonEnergy(partofEnergyQueensland),PowerlinkQueenslandandtheSES.

Someoftheequipmentwillassistintheday-to-daymanagementofthegroupsandtheiroperations,suchasthefournewiPadsreceivedbytheSomersetUnit.

Otherequipmentismorespecialised,suchastheFernoMule,auniquestretcheraccessorythatreducesmuchofthephysicalworkinvolvedinlong-distancepatientretrievals.

GiventheterraincoveredbytheTamborineMountainSESGrouparoundthehinterland,thisitemwillbeputtogooduseinthefuture.

TheGoldCoastSESGroupsalsoreceivedsixMilwaukeeLEDlightstandstoassistwithawiderangeoftasks,reducingtheneedforgenerators.TheBeaudesertandIpswichSESGroupsreceivedtwoFernosplitbasketstretchers.

1300 22 55 82 allianceleasing.com.au*Zero entry fees,

zero exit fees, zero management fees.

APPROVED QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT SUPPLIER Alliance Leasing Pty Ltd is an approved supplier under the Queensland Government panel arrangement Novated Leasing Services QGP0026-16. The arrangement commenced 7 November 2016 for a period of three (3) years with an extension option of up to two (2) years. From 7 November 2016, all Employees who wish to access a motor vehicle using a novated lease must use one of the approved Salary Packaging Novated Leasing Panel Suppliers to arrange, organise and manage the novated lease. The novated lease will continue to be administered through the Salary Packaging Administrator.

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT DISCLAIMER The implications of salary packaging a motor vehicle through a novated leasing arrangement, including tax savings will depend on your individual circumstances. The information in this publication has been prepared by Alliance Leasing for general information purposes only, without taking into consideration any individual circumstances. Before acting on any information or entering into a novated leasing arrangement, you should consider your objectives, financial situation and needs, and, take the appropriate legal, financial or other professional advice based upon your own particular circumstances. The Queensland Government strongly recommends that you obtain independent financial advice prior to entering into, or changing the terms of, a salary packaging arrangement.


Tanya Wittman wins Outstanding Female Leader AwardCongratulationstoTanyaWittmanforwinningtheOutstandingFemaleLeaderAwardpresentedbyDeputyCommissionerMikeWassing.

TanyahasbeenaninspirationforwomensincejoiningtheSES.Shedevelopedtheinitiative‘EmpoweringWomeninOrange’toencouragewomentojoinandcreateawarenessoftheirroleswithintheorganisation.

TanyahasproventobeanextremelyvaluablememberoftheSESandiswellrespectedwithinhercommunityforhercommitment,enthusiasmanddedication.

TanyawasnominatedfortheawardbyseveralpeersinrecognitionofheroutstandingworkasanSESleader.

Theawardacknowledgesindividuals,teams,initiatives,projectsandactivitieswhichsupport,promoteorimprovethestandingofwomeninQFES.

Light up the DawnQueenslanderscelebratedANZACDayverydifferentlythisyear,andInspectorMarkSaunderswasnoexception.

MarkservedwiththeAustralianArmyReservefrom1992to2009andwasactivelyinvolvedinbordersecurityoperationsinFarNorthQueenslandfrom1999to2009.

“ItwasadifferentserviceformethisyearandthefirsttimeIhavewornaQFESuniformonANZACDay,eventhoughI’vebeenanRFSvolunteerandstaffmemberforthepast15years,”Marksaid.

“InthepastIhavealwaysbeeninmilitaryuniformandsince2012theuniformhasbeenWorldWarILightHorse.”

Thisyear,hestoodinthedrivewayofthemotelhe’dbeenlivingandworkingfromsincethestartoftheyearwhileonsecondmentastheAreaDirectorRoma.Hehadalotlesspolishingtodo!

SOUTH WESTERN REGION


STRATEGY


AROUND THE STATE

1300 22 55 82 allianceleasing.com.au*Zero entry fees,

zero exit fees, zero management fees.

APPROVED QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT SUPPLIER Alliance Leasing Pty Ltd is an approved supplier under the Queensland Government panel arrangement Novated Leasing Services QGP0026-16. The arrangement commenced 7 November 2016 for a period of three (3) years with an extension option of up to two (2) years. From 7 November 2016, all Employees who wish to access a motor vehicle using a novated lease must use one of the approved Salary Packaging Novated Leasing Panel Suppliers to arrange, organise and manage the novated lease. The novated lease will continue to be administered through the Salary Packaging Administrator.

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT DISCLAIMER The implications of salary packaging a motor vehicle through a novated leasing arrangement, including tax savings will depend on your individual circumstances. The information in this publication has been prepared by Alliance Leasing for general information purposes only, without taking into consideration any individual circumstances. Before acting on any information or entering into a novated leasing arrangement, you should consider your objectives, financial situation and needs, and, take the appropriate legal, financial or other professional advice based upon your own particular circumstances. The Queensland Government strongly recommends that you obtain independent financial advice prior to entering into, or changing the terms of, a salary packaging arrangement.

Recognising our Peer Support OfficersGoondiwindiFireandRescueStationtooktimeoutduringPeerSupportWeek(beforetheCOVID-19restrictions)tocelebrateandrecognisethevaluableservicePeerSupportOfficersprovidetoQFESstaffandvolunteers.

Inparticular,theyhonouredauxiliaryfirefighterandPeerSupportOfficerPhillipStarling,whosupportshiscolleaguesinGoondiwindiCommand.

PhillipbecameaPeerSupportOfficerin2018andwasdeployedtotheStanthorpefiresinSeptember2019,wherehespenttimeonthefiregroundslookingoutforQFEScolleaguesandlocals.

Operation Cool Burn at Mt Rooper AprilsawthestartofOperationCoolBurnfortheMackayArea,withthefirstmajorburnconductedatMtRoopernearAirlieBeachunderCOVID-19restrictions.

TheburnwascomplexbecauseMtRooperhashighfuelloadsfromTropicalCycloneDebbie,aswellascriticalinfrastructuresuchastelecommunication,powerandradiofacilitiesatthepeak.ThemountainalsoabutsresidentialpropertiesatShuteHaven.

TheQueenslandParksandWildlifeService(QPWS)engagedSEScrewstoassistwithclosingwalkingtracks.TheyalsoenlistedCannonValleyRuralFireBrigadewithtwoappliances,auxiliaryfirefightersfromtheAirlieBeachFireandRescueStationwithtwoappliances,andanEton35Side-by-SideMuleforthesteepersections.

TheDepartmentofTransportandMainRoadssuppliedelectronicmessageboardstoinformthecommunityandmanagetrafficcontrolontheday.

Briefingsfollowedphysicaldistancingrestrictions,whichwasquiteachallengewith30people.

QPWSconductedaerialignitionacrossthesiteandgroundcrewslitaroundtheinfrastructuresites.Theburncovered1200hectaresandQPWSconductedsomefill-inburnsduringtherestoftheweek.

Theburnreducedsignificantfuelloads,protectingneighbouringhousingandinfrastructurewithgoodbiodiversitymosaicfortheimportantconservationstatusoftheland.

Innovation in tough times Withauxiliaryfirefightertrainingcancelled,therehasbeenonecommontheme:howdowekeepconnectedandmaintaininterest?

Fireandrescuestationsacrosstheregionhaveintroducedavarietyofwaystodojustthat,startingwithsendingoutquestionnairestostationstaffeachfortnighttoencouragethemtoresearcharangeoftopics.

StationsarealsoholdingpresentationsonplatformssuchasSkype,ZoomandFacebookMessengerVideoChat.

Crewshaveenthusiasticallytakenupthesetrainingsessions,whichhelpthemmaintainfocusandstructure.

Thestationshavewillinglysharedtheirexperiencesandofferedassistancetoothersintheregiontohelpthemcontinuedevelopingnewtrainingsolutions.

Regional Community Engagement Network – supporting our people and the communityTheRegionalCommunityEngagementNetwork(RCEN)ismadeupofrepresentativesfromallservicesinCentralRegion.

FromProserpineinthenorth,LongreachinthewestandAgnesWaterinthesouth,staffandvolunteersmeetonceamonthtocollaborateandcoordinatecommunityengagementprioritiesforCentralRegion.

TheRCENaimstobearegionalfocalpointforcollaboratingonengagementstrategiestocreateopportunitiestoconnectpeoplewiththerightknowledge,practicalskillsandresourcestostrengthentheircommunity’scapabilityandadaptivecapacity.

TheQFESengagementstrategypromotesthatwefirstengagewithourpeopletounderstandtheirlocalneeds,theircommunities’risks,needsandeducationalrequirements.Thenwewillreachouttoourpartnersandtogetherengageourcommunities.

TheCentralRegionCommunityEngagementPlanconcentratesonsevenkeyprioritiesin2020.YoucanfindmoreinformationontheGatewayunderCentralRegion–RegionalKnowledge.

CENTRAL REGION


AROUND THE STATE


Northern Region Operational Support GroupThedevastatingimpactsofCycloneYasiin2011madeitcleartheRuralFireService(RFS)NorthQueenslandneededacentralisedoperationalsupportgroup.

Aworkinggroupwasdeveloped,whichledtotheNorthernRegionOperationalSupportGroup(NROSG)beingestablishedin2016.FirstOfficerJimBesgroveheadsthegroup,whichissupportedbyRangewoodRuralFireBrigade.

InOctober2019,NROSGwasformalisedandofficiallybecameaHeadquartersBrigade,thefirstofitskindinQFES.Thebrigadenowhasmorethan40activemembers.

JimBesgrovesaidNROSGincreasesNorthernRegion’soperationalincidentcapabilityintheareasofcommandandcontrol,communications,logisticsandcrewwelfare.

“Thebrigadecanalsodeploystriketeamsinresponsetosupportincidentswithintheregionandfurtherafield,”Jimsaid.

“NROSGhasgrownovertheyearsandwenowhaveasignificantnumberofsupportvehiclesandtrailers,aswellasacateringtrailerandthreeamenitiescontainerswithtoilets,showersandwashingmachines.

“Weareintheprocessofcompletingademountablekitchenbuildingtosupportanyemergencyoperations.”

TheRuralFireBrigadesAssociationQueenslandalsoprovidedgrantfundingtoNROSGfora65KVA3phasegeneratorwithaportabledistributionswitchboardanda6000-litreportablewaterskid-mountedtankandpumpunittosupportmajorincidents.

Forthelastthreeyears,NROSGhasbeeninvolvedinorganisingandprovidingIncidentControlforvarioushazardreductionburns,twoofwhichhavenowbecomeyearlyexercisesheldatHervey’sRangeandJamesCookUniversityincollaborationwithlocalbrigadesandotherQFESagencies.

Duringthe2019Townsvillemonsoon,NROSGdemonstratedtheiroperationalsupportcapabilitybyprovidingpersonneltofillfunctionalrolesintheIncidentControlCentre,EmergencyOperationsCentreandRegionalOperationsCentre,aswellasprovidingsupporttothemainstagingareaandControlPointatReidPark.

Thewelfareteam,withsupportfromtheTownsvilleThuringowaLionsClub,suppliedmorethan16000mealsin14days,provingtheyarecapableofprovidingwelfareduringlargeincidentsandnaturaldisasters.

ThevaluablecontributionofNROSGhasnotgoneunnoticed,withthegroupreceivingtheCommissioner’sAwardforLeadershipin2018.

NORTHERN REGION


STRATEGY


AROUND THE STATE


CELEBRATE

Hanging up their helmetsPhysical distancing may make it hard to hold a big farewell party for retiring firefighters, but that hasn’t stopped crews across Queensland from celebrating the decades of service by some of their longest-serving members.

“Itturnedouttheutehadbeendrivinginthesouthernlanewhenithitanothercar,jumpedthebarrier,flewoveracarinthenorthernlaneandlandedfacingsouth.”

Making it right

SteveAppletonhastheaddedprivilegeofhandingoverthereinstohisyoungestsonJohnathan,whorecentlycompletedhisrecruittraininginthesameCommand.

“IwasprettychuffedwhenhestartedatLoganleaStationinMay,eventhoughwemissedcrossingpathsbyaboutamonth,”Stevesaid.

“Myadvicetohimwasthat,asafirefighter,you’reoutinthecommunity,andevenifsomeofthethingsyouseearen’tpleasant,youcanfeelgoodaboutyourworkattheendoftheday.

“Youdidn’tmakethesituation,butyoucandoyourbesttorightit.”

Inrecentyears,Steveassistedwithrescues,includingadramaticrescueofsixpeopletrappedinacartnearthetopoftheGreenLanternrideatMovieWorld.

“Theircartcameloosefromthetrackhighabovetheground,butdidn’tfall.

“Thosecartsweigharoundthreeandahalftonnes,andhugebearingswerefallingtothegroundaroundthem.Ourladderdriverwasamarvel,thewayheplacedtheladderforustogetupthere.

“Wealwaysprepareforthingslikethatjustincasetheyhappen,andwegoteveryoneoutsafe.

“IlovedeveryminuteofmycareerandImissgoingtothestation.”

Alothaschangedinthe40-oddyearssinceStationOfficerJohnHeppellandSeniorFirefighterSteveAppletonjoinedthefireservice,butonethingstillholdstrue–whenthebellsdrop,it’sgotime!

Bothmenwillbegreatlymissedbytheirco-workersattheBeenleighFireandRescueStationfortheirvastexperience,senseofhumourandeasy-goingnatures.

JohnsaidworkingwithSteveandtheotherfirefighterswasalwaysanadventure.

“Stevewasagreatfirefighter.Ihavealotofrespectforhim,andallthefirefightersIworkedwith,”Johnsaid.

OneoftheincidentsthatstandsoutinJohn’smemoryistheTownHallfireinTownsvilleinthelate70s.

“Iwasonlytwoyearsonthejobwhenthathappened.Itwasoneofthosebigold-fashionedtownhalls,atwo-storeybuildingwithaveranda.

“Itwasahugefireandinthosedaysweonlyhadsmallcrews–mostonlyhadtwofirefighterstoatruck.”

JohnsaidhisadvicetopeoplejoiningQFESwastobepreparedfortheunexpected.

“You’realwaysgoingtobesurprised.Don’tfeelleftout–asksillyquestions.

“IrememberoncewerespondedtoacaraccidentonthePacificHighwaywherethefourcarsinvolvedwerefacingnorthbesideabigutethatwasfacingsouth,againstthedirectionoftraffic.

“Weweresittingtherethinking,whyisthatutefacingbackwards?

John Heppel (centre left) and Steve Appleton (centre right) at their pre-COVID farewell.


CELEBRATE

Changes

After34yearsofservice,BundabergFireandRescueServiceAreaCommanderInspectorRonnieHigginssaidgoodbyetohismatesinApril.

Evenwithphysicaldistancing,thecrewputonagoodsend-off,includingafarewelllunchandafinaldrivehomeinthefiretruck.

“Thebestmemoriesarejustbeingwiththeguyseachday,”Ronniesaid.

“It’sbeengreattobepartoftheteamhereinBundaberg.Wehavealotoffun,butwhenit’sseriouswegetdowntoit.”

RonniewasproudtobepartoftheprocessforsecuringnewfirestationsinBundabergandChilders,aswellasrenovatingsomeofthestations.

“I’veseenalotofchanges.WhenIstarted,ourworkwasmainlyaboutfightingfires.ThenitevolvedandwestarteddoingHAZMATjobsandcarcrashrescuesinthe90s,thenwemovedontootherkindsofrescueliketechnicalrescue,verticalandconfinedspace,andnowthefocusisondisastermanagement.

“Ourroleisallabouthelpingthecommunity.It’sgreattoseeyoungkids’faceslightupandthehappinessyoubringthemwhenthetruckpullsuportheyvisitthestation.

“IwanttothankallthepeopleI’vebeeninvolvedwith.Withoutthepeoplearoundyou,yourcareerisnothing.”

The Annual Longreach Fire Brigade Championships

JohnPalmerOAMservedasanauxiliaryfirefighterattheLongreachFireandRescueStationfor45+years,retiringinJanuarythisyear.

Heisapopularleaderinthecommunity,dedicatinghistimetomanycausessuchasorganisingmajorscoutingeventsasascoutleaderfor44years,andsittingonstateandlocalhealthadvisoryboards.HisroleshaveincludedPresidentoftheLongreachAthleticsClubandMayorofLongreachRegionalCouncil.

“IjoinedthebrigadewhenIwas18becauseIwantedtoservemycommunity,”Johnsaid.

“Allusyounggunsusedtosleepatthestationsowewerefirstonthetrucks.Wewere10feettallandbulletproof.

“Theyweregooddaysbecauseitwaslikeasecondhome.WestillhavealltheoldfiretruckshereatLongreachandsomeofthemstillrun.

“Wewereworkingside-by-side,wetrustedeachotherandwedidwhatweneededtodo.Itwasafantasticjourney.”

Everyyearsince1928,thestationhasheldtheAnnualLongreachFireBrigadeChampionshipsinthemainstreetofLongreach.Johnhasnevermissedone.

“Wecloseoffthemainstreetandthepubliccomealongandputtheirchairsonthefootpathandwatchuspractiseourskills,”Johnsaid.

HewasawardedthecovetedBlueRibbon12timesandstillholdssixoftheeighteventrecords.Johnwasproudtoseeoneoftheapprenticemechanicsheemploysjoinasanauxiliaryfirefighter.AcareerhighlightwaswhenhissonBenjoinedabout14yearsago.

“Icouldn’thavedoneanyofitwithoutmyfamilyandthecommunity’ssupport.Andthathasn’tchanged.AndIdon’treckonyoushouldeverforgetthat.

“IreckonIhaven’thitmypeakyet.”

John Palmer (left) with his son Ben and grandson Macen. The afternoon C shift gave Ronnie Higgins an appropriate farewell in April.

Product issued by the QSuper Board (ABN 32 125 059 006, AFSL 489650) as trustee for QSuper (ABN 60 905 115 063). Consider the PDS on our website to see whether QSuper is right for you. © QSuper Board.

Visit qsuper.com.au to find out how we are supporting our members.

Thankfor all that you do.

Your dedication in caring for our community is inspiring. You’re the reason why we do what we do.

And have been since 1912.


COMMUNITY

Product issued by the QSuper Board (ABN 32 125 059 006, AFSL 489650) as trustee for QSuper (ABN 60 905 115 063). Consider the PDS on our website to see whether QSuper is right for you. © QSuper Board.

Visit qsuper.com.au to find out how we are supporting our members.

Thankfor all that you do.

Your dedication in caring for our community is inspiring. You’re the reason why we do what we do.

And have been since 1912.

On Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day), we celebrate and thank SES volunteers for their contribution as part of National Volunteer Week.

QFESusuallyholdscommunityengagementactivitiesandrecruitmentdrives,buttocomplywithphysicaldistancing,thisyearweheldavirtualmorningtea.

AssistantCommissionerAndrewShorthostedthemorningteaforSESvolunteersandstaffonZoom,givingthemthechancetocometogetherasagroupforthefirsttimeever.

Morethan100peopletookpart,includingCommissionerGregLeachandDeputyCommissionerMikeWassing,stafffromeachregionandstateoffice,andmanyofourvaluedSESvolunteersfromacrossQueensland.

CommissionerLeachsaid,“Inhonourofthisday,wetakethetimetothankourQueenslandSESvolunteersfortheirdedicationandtirelessdevotiontotheircommunities.

297SESgroups.Sofar,inthe2019/20financialyear,theyhavedevotedmorethan266400hourstotrainingandpreparednessandmorethan96200hourstooperationalresponse.

Wear Orange Wednesday

A new Home Fire Safety website is bringing all home fire safety and escape plan information into one place, continuing to remind Queenslanders to prepare their homes and practise fire-escape drills.

Themessageofhomefiresafetyhasneverbeenmoreimportant,withmostQueenslandersneedingtostayathomebecauseofCOVID-19restrictions.

Adultsworkingfromhome,moreappliancesanddevicesinuseandrecharging,morehome-cooking,candlesbeinglit,coolerweatherandpotentiallyboredschoolchildrencanallleadtomorehomefires.

The2020HomeFireSafetycampaignwilllaunchnextmonthtoraiseawarenessaboutreducingtheriskofaccidentalhomefiresandagaindrivehometheimportanceofplanning,discussingandpractisingahomefire-escapedrill.

QFEScrewsattended1806residentialstructurefireslastyear,withsevenfatalities.

QFESadcampaignco-ordinatorJenniferKerrsaidthisyear’srefreshedcampaignwouldcontinuetoeducateQueenslandersabouttheimportanceoffiresafetyinthehomeandfire-escapedrills.

“We’vealsobeenresearchinghowbesttoreachourtargetaudiencesinthisCOVID-19environmentbecausethewaypeoplearegettingtheirinformationisquitedifferentfromlastyear’scampaign,”Jennifersaid.

“Morepeopleareonline,listeningtomusicstreamingservicesonsmartspeakersathome,andlisteningtotheradioathomesowe’retargetingourcampaigntoreachthoseaudiences.

“We’vealsocreatedanew-lookwebsite,whichiseasyforQueenslanderstonavigateandhasallthehomefiresafetyinformationinoneplace.

“Peoplecangotothesiteandquicklyfindeverythingtheyneedtochecktheirhomeforfiresafetyandmakeanescapeplan.”

JennifersaidthenewwebsitealsofeaturesmoredetailedcontentandspecifictipsforparentsofyoungchildrenaswellasolderQueenslandersandtheircarers.

The2020HomeFireSafetycampaignwilllaunchinlateJulyandrununtiltheendofAugust.Radioadswillplayinthesouth-east,RockhamptonandToowoomba,whilethecampaignwillalsofeatureonline,onSpotifyandonparentingwebsitesBrisbaneKidsandMustdobrisbane.

Visitwww.qfes.qld.gov.au/fireescapeformoreinformationonhomefiresafety.

Home Fire Safety gets fresh look

SES members from across the state joined the virtual morning tea.

Commissioner Greg Leach and Assistant Commissioner Andrew Short cutting the cake for WOW Day.

“OurvolunteersprovideaninvaluableservicetoallQueenslanders.

“ThepastyearhasbeenespeciallytryingfortheQueenslandcommunity,andwethankourvolunteersfortheirdedicationandassistanceduringthedifficultfireseasonandtheCOVID-19pandemic,aswellasthisyear’ssevereweatherseason.”

Therearecurrently4900activeSESmembersinQueenslandacross


GALLERY

Artist Pam Withers showed her support for firefighters by donating her painting to the Gympie Fire and Rescue Station.

The crew from Wishart Fire and Rescue Station and the Retired Firefighters Association celebrated retired firefighter Frank Sloman’s 80th birthday with a surprise drive-by, lighting up his day despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

In the spirit of Reach as High as You Can Day on April 14, QFES crews tested a new Combined Aerial Pump Appliance (CAPA) under the Story Bridge. CAPAs can reach up to 32 metres in less than 90 seconds to assist with a wide range of incidents.

One of QFES’ youngest fans created this amazing Lego fire station in the spirit of Lego Masters.


GALLERY

As part of the top-secret Operation Storytime, Deputy Commissioner Mark Roche and other QFES leaders read their favourite storybooks to spread a little joy during Easter time.

The Pine Mountain and Districts Rural Fire Brigade left activity packs and chocolates out the front of the station for local kids and adults to keep busy during isolation.

This year, the annual Domestic and Family Violence Candle Lighting Vigil was held virtually by DVConnect.

QFES Commissioner Greg Leach and other QFES leaders participated in the event to remember those who have lost their lives to domestic and family violence.

QFES encouraged parents to use their extra time at home to talk about home fire safety with their kids. Two-year-old Harry took our online test to become a junior firefighter and was pretty chuffed with the results.

Logan SES, in association with local agencies, helped prepare and deliver care packages to vulnerable members of the community. They left the packages at people’s doors to avoid direct contact and keep people safe.

Southport Fire and Rescue Station received a call in the early hours of the morning to rescue a curlew chick stuck in a drain, and bravely descended into the darkness to bring it to safety.

Firefighters worked to contain one of the first bushfires of the season at Takura in the Hervey Bay region this May.


SPOTLIGHT

A Swedish exchange

Chrisgottheideawhenhetalkedtoacolleagueatthe2018CommonwealthGamesanddiscoveredthatafirefighterinSwedenwantedtoparticipateinanexchange.

HeflewtoSwedeninMay2019withhiswifeandthreeoftheirkids,whilehisexchangepartnerDanielJibbersflewtoAustralia.Onarrivaltheywerewelcomedbyoneofhisnewcolleagues,Hasse,whopresentedhimwithhishelmet.

WhilehiskidssettledintotheirnewSwedishschools,Chriswentstraightintohisinduction.

“Swedenhasareputationforhavinganelitefirefightingservice,andtheyaremassiveontheirtraining,”hesaid.

“Whenonshiftphysicaltrainingwasmandatory.Itwasamixofsoccer,floorball,running,gym,swimmingandCrossFit.Onsomedaystherewereorganisedclassesforustoattend.”

ChrisalsolearntmoreaboutSweden’s‘HealthyFirefighter’approachtodecontaminationandsupportinghealthymindsandbodies.

“Swedentakesthehealthandwellbeingoffirefightersextremelyseriously,”Chrissaid.

“ThiswascleartoseeondayonewhenIunderwentacomprehensivemedical

examination,withtwomorethroughouttheyear.

“Thewayinwhichtheycarryoutdecontaminationafterafireisextremelysimpleandeffective,tohelpreducetherisksoftheircrewsbeingaffectedbycancer.

“Theongoingtrainingonshiftensuresallstaff,nomatterwhatroleorpositiontheyholdwithintheorganisation,areinthebestpossibleconditiontheycanbe.

“Trainingforicerescuesindrysuitswasaninterestingexperiencebecauseofthefreezingcold.”

Chrissaidhedidn’talwaysunderstandwhatincidenttheywouldberespondingtobecausethecallswereinSwedish,butenroutetheotherswouldlethimknowwhatwashappening.

“Vehicleincidentsinvolvingmoosewerequitecommon,”hesaid.

Anothernotabledifferencewasfacialhair.

“TheirBreathingApparatusmasksarepositivepressuredthesameasours–theonlydifferenceisfacialhairisallowedwhileonshift.Itwasgreattonothavetoshaveforayear.”

ThecountywhereChrisworkedranashiftofeight,includingtheInsatsledareIL

(Inspector),StyrkeledereSL(StationOfficer)andsixBrandman(firefighters).

“TheILwouldrespondintheircar,thenthefronttruck1010wouldrespondwithfivecrewmembers–theSL,driverandthreeinthebackmadeupofSmokeDiver1and2andtheSmokeDiverLeader.

“Dependingontheincident,theothertwocrewmemberswoulddriveeitherthesecondtruck,ladderorwatertruck.”

ChrissaidheandhisfamilywereluckyenoughtofitinsometravellingbeforetheworldcloseddownduetoCOVID-19.

“WetravelledtoplacesinfarnorthernSwedenwherewewentdogsleddingandsawthenorthernlights.”

HisfamilyalsoparticipatedinMidsommarcelebrations,pickingflowersandmakingwreathstoplaceonthemaypoleforthetraditionalringdances.

“AfterspendingayearinSwedenIcanseewhytheyareheldinsuchhighregardthroughouttheworldwiththeirpractices,”Chrissaid.

Thereweredayswhereitwasextremelyhardwiththelanguagebarrier,cultureandweatheretc,butasawholewehaveallbenefitedfromtheopportunity.

“TacksåmycketförattläsaochHadetsåbra(thankyouverymuchforreadingandallthebest).”

Senior Firefighter Chris Peate from the Gold Coast embraced the opportuni

RESILIENT AND READY FOR THE PEOPLE OF QUEENSLAND · BORDER OPERATIONS QFES helps stop the spread ON...

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