The chief officer was last week announced for the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) as part of major reforms underway to enhance the delivery of disaster and emergency management in Queensland.
Chief officer Mark Armstrong commences work from 5 February and will assist with the reform work currently underway before officially assuming operational command of the SES by mid-2024.
Mr Armstrong has more than 25 years’ experience in the Australian Defence Force and major multi-national corporations.
In 2022, he commanded the ADF response to the South-East Queensland floods.
Work is well underway for both the SES and Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) to be established as entities in their own right hosted by the Queensland Police Service by mid-2024.
A Queensland Government spokesperson said as part of these reforms, the SES will have its own operational budget, allowing for a strategic approach to critical disaster and emergency responses and benefit from more staff and more resources, including crucial safety equipment, vehicles and vessels.
“Everyone in the community sees the extraordinary efforts of Queensland’s dedicated SES personnel in support of the safety of our community,“ Police and Community Safety Minister Mark Ryan said.
“Chief officer Armstrong’s leadership skills and experience will help build on the important service that the SES provides across Queensland as well as assist in a reform work underway.
“He will lead a workforce which includes thousands of dedicated and hard-working volunteers who assist communities when they need help the most.”
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the new emergency reforms would streamline co-ordination and improve interoperability with existing capabilities in the QPS.
“Unfortunately, Queensland has already faced significant weather events this season, and this impact has again, demonstrated how important our emergency services and partner agencies are in protecting Queenslanders and their communities.”
Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteers Association president Eddie Cowie said QSESVA acknowledged Mr Armstrong’s extensive service to our country and knew of his significant contributions to major events in Queensland.
“Significant change is in the future of QSES and we are confident his demonstrated leadership and engagement will create an improved, more robust, Queensland SES,“ he said.
SES Volunteer Consultative Committee chair Sharn Pogan said the new leadership and experience Mr Armstrong brings to the Qld SES will not only be refreshing but also beneficial to the organisation in this exciting period of growth and changes.
“The transition has its challenges and we are sure Mark Armstrong can help us navigate through this journey to the new QSES,” Ms Pogan said.
