Steve Smith AFSM started his firefighting career in Queensland in 1994 and has served in regional and state roles in a variety of specialist areas before taking on the role of our Commissioner in October 2023.

He has extensive knowledge, skills and experience in emergency and crisis management, both domestically and internationally, with a particular interest in leadership and capability development including organisational level change, leadership influence, and the human factors that influence organisational behaviour.

Steve was appointed his substantive rank of Assistant Commissioner in late 2015 and served as the Assistant Commissioner Southwestern Region for three and a half years before commencing in his current substantive position of Assistant Commissioner, People in 2019.

In recent years, Steve has acted in Deputy Commissioner roles with us at various times, with the most recent being as Deputy Commissioner Capability and State Services Division at its inception; and Acting Deputy Commissioner, Fire and Rescue Service. He has also been leading our Reform Implementation Taskforce Support Directorate established to support the Disaster and Emergency Services Reforms.

In 2011 Steve was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal for distinguished service and success in technical rescue with outstanding commitment and drive in improving the profile and capability of the Queensland Urban Search and Rescue Taskforce.

Steve has an Executive Master of Public Administration, a Master of Leadership and Management and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.