Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Greg Leach has announced that he will leave the role at the end of October.

Mr Leach advised the QFES workforce and the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services the Honourable Mark Ryan today that he will be taking on a new opportunity interstate.

Mr Leach described his almost four years as Commissioner as a privilege that had challenged and inspired him.

In a statement to the organisation, Mr Leach said:

“Many of you would have heard me talk about Queensland being the most disaster-prone state in Australia. In my almost four years here I have witnessed the drive, dedication, determination and high levels of expertise that make Queensland’s emergency service workers among the most respected and resourceful I have known throughout my thirty-five year emergency services career.

“Through a global pandemic, catastrophic fires, floods and storms, through disasters both natural and human-created, together we have endured the toughest of times.”

In the statement, Mr Leach also reflected on the sacrifice of SES volunteer Merryl Dray in the February 2022 floods, and Firefighter First Class Izabella (Izzy) Nash at the Slacks Creek fire in May this year.

“The collective grief felt by emergency services at the loss of colleagues is a true hallmark of the camaraderie and sense of family that exists in our organisation.”

Mr Leach said he was proud of several achievements during his time at QFES, including the ongoing work to incorporate First Nations knowledge and expertise in QFES’ changing approaches to bushfire management; improving the mental health of personnel through the development of a mental health strategy; the work towards creating a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the department, and the incredible support QFES provided to Queenslanders during the pandemic years.

Mr Leach also said his work as the Government Champion for the community of Coen was a highlight.

“I, along with other government stakeholders, have had the pleasure to visit Coen on multiple occasions and advocate for the community in a range of social and economic activities including for capital funding for an Indigenous arts centre and increased social housing. Recently I was able to attend the opening of their Men’s Shed, a joint initiative by the Coen Regional Aboriginal Corporation and Queensland Government first conceived in 2019.

Mr Leach said it had been an honour to serve as QFES Commissioner and that he was looking forward to seeing the implementation of the new Queensland Fire Department as it continues to support Queensland Communities.