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Can your chemistry expertise help our first responders in a HAZMAT emergency? Why not become a Volunteer Scientific Officer?
Volunteer Scientific Officers (VSOs) respond to HAZMAT emergencies outside of South-East Queensland, including:
- large chemical fires at warehouses or factories where dangerous goods are stored
- road traffic crashes involving dangerous goods, such as pesticides or anhydrous ammonia
- chemical spills, such as nitric acid, styrene, acetone and caustic soda
- leaking containers on ships before and after docking
- ammonia leaks in refrigeration plants
- suspicious substances, white powders, or abandoned containers and many other scenarios.
VSOs are a highly specialised group of volunteers who must be tertiary qualified in chemistry, chemical engineering or a similar field. They are a highly committed and valued volunteer workforce who work alongside our Scientific Branch officers, firefighters and other agencies, and play a major role in keeping Queenslanders safe.
Have you got what it takes?
Our VSOs are local professional scientists and/or engineers who provide prompt, in-field response to emergency incidents, with phone support from a Scientific Officer based in Brisbane if needed. They are on-call 24/7 to attend emergency scenes as requested.
All VSOs operate outside of South-East Queensland.
Our Research and Scientific Branch Officers work closely with VSOs, to ensure they receive all the training and support they need to safely respond to incidents.
Pre-requisites
The unique nature of the role means the qualifications and work experience needed to become a VSO are quite specific, so all applicants will be assessed against our strict criteria. Bachelor’s degrees which will grant you direct entry include:
- chemistry
- biochemistry/biotechnology
- pharmacy
- chemical engineering
- science degree with strong chemical laboratory experience/management.
However, if you have a non-chemistry bachelor’s degree, such as Biology, Physics or Engineering, and have completed additional studies in chemistry (Grad Dip or Grad Cert), or are completing these studies, you may also qualify. Please feel free to apply and you will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
As a VSO, you must be able to correctly interpret and disseminate relevant data/information in a timely and professional way that firefighters, non-technical officers and members of the public can easily understand.
As well as meeting the minimum educational criteria, before being offered the opportunity to complete the Scientific Officer recruit course, you must:
- agree to a criminal history check and Blue Card application
- have your employer’s endorsement
- live outside South-East Queensland.
Training
Our Scientific Branch provides a two-part recruit course. The initial 6-day course focuses on preparing the regional officers to act as an interface between sources of specialised chemical advice and the emergency services response crews.
Broadly, the stage 1 course covers:
- the roles, structures, resources and means of communication and response procedures of emergency service organisations
- the hazardous properties of chemicals
- hazardous materials and dangerous goods legislation
- the management of hazardous materials emergencies
- chemical information resources
- incident assessment and risk control measures
- operational doctrine.
After completing this course, you will have done negative pressure respirator training and be provided with equipment such as a uniform, identity badge and technical resources. You are also introduced to your local emergency services’ senior officers. You will then be able to attend and work at emergencies, with the exception that you cannot enter areas requiring self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
After around 12 months, you will complete stage 2 of the recruit course. In this course you will complete SCBA, chemical detection and forensic sampling courses.
Each year, a compulsory skills maintenance training program is offered at regional centres or in Brisbane. This compulsory ongoing program is offered several times throughout the year. It assures the competence of volunteers and introduces new areas of hazmat incident management.
We meet travel and accommodation costs for all volunteer training courses.
How to apply
To receive a copy of the application form, please submit your interest plus a copy of your relevant qualifications/work history to Research and Scientific Branch matthew.smith@qfes.qld.gov.au. You will receive email response within 7 days.
If you would like more information on the volunteer network or you are interested in joining the volunteer network, contact the Scientific Branch on 07 3909 4313 or email matthew.smith@qfes.qld.gov.au
To become a volunteer with us, you must read and agree to:
Code of Conduct
Statement of Cultural Intent (PDF, 275 KB)
Acceptable Use Policy (PDF, 90 KB)
Privacy Management Policy (PDF, 66 KB)
Additional documentation
Police Criminal History Check Form (PDF, 350 KB)
Guide to Apply for a Blue Card Online (PDF, 691 KB)