Senior officers support recovery across the State

Recovery efforts across the state following ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie have received a boost with additional senior officers deployed to assist the State Recovery Coordinator, Brigadier Chris Field on the ground.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the magnitude of recovery across the state in the South East, Central and Northern Queensland is being realised, and two additional senior officers will ensure a local and coordinated approach to recovery efforts.

“Brigadier Chris Field will be supported in the north by Chief Superintendent Kevin Walsh, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Superintendent Charysse Pond, Queensland Police Service in the south east region.

“Our emergency services have been doing an extraordinary job in providing immediate community safety and assistance following the prolonged natural disaster.

“We want to ensure our communities recover and rebuild as quickly as possible.

“Chief Superintendent Kevin Walsh of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services will support the State Recovery Coordinator in North Queensland.

Chief Superintendent Walsh has served 26 years in the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services after having previously served with the Queensland Police Service (QPS). He is currently the Director of the State Operations Coordination Branch, working closely with the State Disaster Coordination Centre. 

Chief Superintendent Walsh has led disaster assistance response teams to major disasters in Queensland including Cyclone Larry (2006) and Cyclone Yasi (2011) and has also worked in State Coordination Centres for major Queensland natural disaster events. 

He is a Category III Taskforce Leader for the QFES Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) and has led USAR teams overseas responding to disaster operations including Indonesia and Solomon Islands. 

The Premier said Chief Superintendent Walsh has been deployed and is currently based in Proserpine. 

“While progress in the recovery effort is being made across the State, there is still a long road ahead, and especially for those in the South East. 

“I’ve appointed Superintendent Charysse Pond from the Queensland Police Service to support recovery efforts in South East Queensland. She will commence immediately. 

“Superintendent Pond currently oversees the Ipswich District, and was previously the Project Inspector for the Southern Region. 

“She has more than 25 years’ experience in the Queensland Police Service, including working in the Far North and South East regions. 

“She has extensive experience in working with the community, stakeholders and government agencies across the state, including in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“These senior officers are both highly regarded and will provide crucial on the ground assistance to the State Recovery Coordinator.

“They extensive networks and relevant experience to support Brigadier Field, and I know they will work together to do everything they can to help people who have had their lives thrown into disarray.”

“I want to reassure Queenslanders, regardless of where you live in the state, were are here and assistance is at hand to ensure we bounce back as quickly as possible.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791