QFES looks to First Nations people for specialised bushfire hazard mitigation roles

To coincide with this year’s NAIDOC Week, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has commenced the recruitment process for eight new First Nations positions to help improve bushfire safety across Queensland.

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Mark Ryan said the First Nations Bushfire Safety Officer positions would focus on specialised bushfire hazard mitigation work to support traditional owners and their communities and the creation of these roles is supported by recommendations from the Federal Government’s Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements that highlight that there is much that can be learned from First Nations’ land and fire management insights.

“First Nations people have maintained a strong connection to this ancient land for tens of thousands of years, and through these new roles QFES is further recognising the cultural and ecological importance of Indigenous land and fire management practices,” Mr Ryan said.

QFES Commissioner, Greg Leach said the positions would support fire management groups, fire wardens, brigades and other stakeholders to enhance community engagement and ensure a greater understanding of bushfire risk.

“These roles will further enable QFES to learn from traditional owners and harness their knowledge to continually adapt and improve fire management practices through specialised strategic projects,” he said.

“Recognising First Nations people’s skillset when it comes to fire management is important and the chance to increase collaboration in management of the land is beneficial.

“Fire has been integral to First Nations people caring for the country, and their expert knowledge developed over thousands of generations is invaluable.”

“It’s fitting to announce these unique roles during NAIDOC Week as this year’s theme, Heal Country, calls on us all to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters and our sacred sites.”

Applications for the eight new First Nations Bushfire Safety Officer positions are now open and more information is available on the Queensland Government’s SmartJobs website (www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au).  Applications close on 30 July 2021.

ENDS

Media contacts

Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300

QFES Media: (07) 3635 3310

Background

Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

https://naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/html-report/chapter-18

Recommendation 18.1 Indigenous land and fire management and natural disaster resilience

Australian, state, territory and local governments should engage further with Traditional Owners to explore the relationship between Indigenous land and fire management and natural disaster resilience.

Recommendation 18.2 Indigenous land and fire management and public land management

Australian, state, territory and local governments should explore further opportunities to leverage Indigenous land and fire management insights, in the development, planning and execution of public land management activities.