Fire Services Act 1990

The Fire Services Act 1990 (the Act), formally the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990, establishes Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR) and Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) as fire services and sets out their functions as well as the responsibilities of the Commissioner as head of the fire services. The Act also provides for the establishment and functions of rural fire brigades.

Statutory positions established by the Act include the:

• Commissioner whose functions include managing the fire services in a way that ensures each fire service performs its functions under the Act effectively and efficiently;
• Deputy Commissioner who is responsible for managing the day-to-day service delivery of QFR;
• Chief Officer who is responsible for the day-to-day management of RFSQ; and
• Chief Fire Officer who is dedicated to providing specialist expertise in the delivery of fire services, best practice, innovation and research.

The Act also establishes an RFSQ advisory committee to provide advice to the Chief Officer on matters relating to the performance of the functions of RFSQ, including the administration and management of rural fire brigades.

The Fire Services Regulation 2011 provides the framework for the administration of Queensland’s Emergency Management Levy and requirements for permits to light a fire.

Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008

The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) shares administration of the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 with the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works. The Regulation provides minimum safety standards to ensure buildings are appropriately constructed, maintained and equipped to minimise the risk of fire and to ensure safe evacuations in the case of fire or hazardous material emergencies.

General legislative and regulatory environment

QFD staff and volunteers have a responsibility to ensure compliance with the broader regulatory environment applicable to the general government sector in Queensland including: the Human Rights Act 2019, Information Privacy Act 2009, Right to Information Act 2009, Public Sector Act 2022, Public Sector Ethics Act 1994, Financial Accountability Act 2009, Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Public Records Act 2002 and the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service.