First-ever dedicated Chief Officer announced for Queensland’s SES

• Mark Armstrong has been announced as the first-ever dedicated Chief Officer for the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES).
• The new dedicated position will support the SES as part of the watershed Emergency Services reforms.
• Mr Armstrong has more than 25 years’ experience in ADF and major multi-national corporations.

The Chief Officer has been 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 2024 and he 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.

The Queensland Government is delivering one of the most significant bodies of change to Queensland’s disaster and emergency management system, ensuring the state is best placed to continue delivering exceptional services to all Queensland.

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.

As part of this reforms, the SES will have its own operational budget, allowing for a strategic approach to critical disaster and emergency responses.

The SES will also benefit from more staff and more resources, including crucial safety equipment, vehicles and vessels.

Communities will benefit from their emergency services gaining enhanced resources and capability to respond effectively to community emergencies.

Quotes attributable to Police and Community Safety Minister Mark Ryan:

“Everyone in the community sees the extraordinary efforts of Queensland’s dedicated SES personnel in support of the safety of our community.

“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.” 

Quotes attributable to Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll:

“I welcome the appointment of Mark Armstrong into the new role,” Commissioner Carroll said.

“The new emergency reforms, which are already well underway will 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.”

Quotes attributable to Mark Armstrong:

“I am honoured to be selected to lead dedicated volunteers and staff of Queensland’s SES in their important work in support of communities across the State. 

“I look forward to engaging with the many important stakeholders as part of the reform process underway.”

Quotes attributable to Eddie Cowie ESM, President of the Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteers Association:

“The QSESVA welcomes the appointment of Mark Armstrong as Chief Officer of the Queensland SES and to lead the QSES into the future. 

“We acknowledge his extensive service to our country and know 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.

“I look forward to fruitful engagement with Mark to engage with our volunteers to build preparedness and resilience within communities in Queensland, many of which have been tested recently.”  

Quotes attributable to Sharn Pogan, SES Volunteer Consultative Committee Chair:

“The Qld SES Volunteer Consultative Committee are excited to welcome Mark Armstrong to the Queensland SES. 

“We look forward to working collaboratively in the interests of our volunteers and communities in which we serve. 

“Bringing new leadership and his experience to the Qld SES will not only be refreshing but also beneficial to our 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.”

Image: Mark Armstrong

Media contacts 

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

Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444