QES provides Indigenous opportunities

Queensland’s Department of Emergency Services (DES) provides services covering all phases of emergency and disaster management across a single portfolio, making it unique in Australia. DES works with Indigenous communities in Cape York and Torres Strait to build communities’ ability to deal with emergency situations, natural disasters and promote public safety.

The department works in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to provide a range of services including pre-hospital care, counter disaster and fire and rescue services, and is also working collaboratively with Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders to build their capacity to prepare for, prevent and respond to a range of emergencies and disasters in their respective communities.

About 8000 DES staff, working with more than 85,000 volunteers in organisations such as the State Emergency Service, the Rural Fire Service, Australian Volunteer Coastguard and Volunteer Marine Rescue associations, and Local Ambulance Committees, deliver ambulance, fire, search, rescue and disaster management services, along with a vast number of community safety programs. Indigenous Coordination Unit In 2003, the Director-General established the DES Indigenous Coordination Unit based in Cairns. This unit works closely with the DES Community Engagement Unit to engage with Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around emergency management and community safety initiatives.

The unit ensures consultation and negotiation with relevant government, non-government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to meet their specific needs.

In partnership with allied agencies, the unit contributes to the development and implementation of community plans.

Training Indigenous communities for emergencies Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Field Officers have been appointed in Indigenous communities in the Cape and Torres Strait to work with community health providers, State Emergency Service (SES) and Rural Fire volunteers to form strategies to improve emergency procedures, pre-hospital care and non-emergency health care transport.

Members of communities including SES and Rural Fire volunteers are trained to provide basic life support skills and to respond to emergencies to give first aid until the arrival of ambulance services, aero-medical services or medical care from Queensland Health. The Emergency Services Cadet Program has been introduced in a number of Indigenous communities in Queensland. Cadets are school-aged children trained by State Emergency Service volunteers, Rural Fire Training officers and QAS Field Officers. The Emergency Services Cadet Program training includes skills and knowledge in first aid, general rescue, communications, map reading and navigation.

Many Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders throughout Queensland have now received training and have been successful in obtaining certificates in first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). This training is critical especially in remote areas where immediate medical attention is unavailable. Knowledge of basic life support skills allows community members to commence appropriate treatment prior to the arrival of medical care. Shane completing the Conservation and land Management Program, conducted by the Douglas TAFE ‘on Country’ at Bulimba Station in Far North Queensland. The Fire Management component was conducted by Rural Fire Training Officer Jamie Haskell.

Indigenous work opportunities

The Department of Emergency Services (DES) has recruited Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders into the permanent, part-time and volunteer ranks of the Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service. A recruitment program is conducted on a regular basis and encourages Indigenous people to apply for positions across the emergency services.