SES drone capability to reach new heights

• Funding boost to significantly enhance SES drone capability
• New investment will increase the SES drone fleet with funding for 41 extra drones
• There are plans to nearly double the number of SES Remote Pilots across Queensland

The State Emergency Service’s drone capability will undergo a major uplift in 2024/25.

The SES drones support ground crews and enhance capability in search and rescue activities, damage assessment and intelligence gathering post disasters, and delivery of essential items to persons isolated by disaster events.

The State Emergency Service (SES) will invest about $600,000 in 2024-25 to procure an additional 41 drones.

Every one of the seven SES Regions across Queensland will be allocated drones from the additional procurement pool.

But flexibility is key, and the SES states that additional drones will be moved to wherever they’re needed most to match the time of year and likely corresponding demands that may arise depending on weather etc.

In addition, the SES has plans to virtually double the number of SES volunteers who are able to operate the drones.

There are currently about 65 operational SES Remote Pilots located throughout the State.

The SES has identified approximately 60 SES volunteers with Remote Pilot licences who have expressed interest to join operations under the SES ReOC (Remote Operator Certificate).

The additional drones and additional SES Remote Pilots will further support SES operations during and after major disaster events.

This capability is essential in providing support to Local Disaster Management Groups and other agencies during disaster and emergency events. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police and Community Safety Mark Ryan:

“Every Queenslander knows how much we all rely on our dedicated State Emergency Service volunteers when disaster strikes.

“Whether it’s tarping and protecting homes that have been damaged by storms or cyclones, or searching for people who’ve gone missing in a natural disaster, our SES volunteers stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Queenslanders.

“This new investment in drone capability and the increase in the number of SES Remote Pilots will further support the efforts of the incredible volunteers who dedicate themselves to keeping Queenslanders safe.”

Quotes attributable to Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski:

"Having the ability to deploy more aerial assets significantly enhances the SES ability to respond to disaster and emergency events. 

"Drone capability allows SES volunteers and staff help their community as safely and effectively as possible.

"SES volunteers play such an important role in helping their community and keeping them safe.

"This additional equipment will help enhance the delivery of essential support services provided to communities during times of greatest need."

Quotes attributable to SES Chief Officer Mark Armstrong:

"Drones have proved highly effective in providing situational awareness during severe weather events such as flooding.

"The other benefit of this technology is how it assists our volunteers on the ground during search and rescues as well as surveying damage from storms and cyclones.

"I am pleased we will now have an even wider range of this capability to provide support to not only our volunteers but our emergency services partners across Queensland."

Quotes attributable to SESVA, Eddie Cowie:

“We welcome the recent announcement by the State Government on the additional purchase of drones for SES operational use.

“Any equipment which assists our professional SES volunteers in responding to our Queensland communities in times of disasters and emergencies is a welcomed boost to our overall capability.

“The Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteer Association looks forward to working alongside SES in training and support of SES volunteers to operate these drones as soon as they are made available.”

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