News from the Queensland Reform Implementation Taskforce, Police and Emergency Services.
New FAQ Page – Your Questions Answered!
MRQ have been capturing many of the questions you have raised recently and launching their new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page as a resource which will continue to be updated as new information becomes available and decisions are made.
Access the comprehensive FAQ page here.
Don’t see your question send them an email
Desktop Pilots
Expressions of Interest (EOI) were sought via the Marine Rescue Queensland Implementation Working Group (MRQIWG) for units interested in assisting the Marine Rescue Implementation Program (MRIP) to develop service delivery and transition solutions during a desktop pilot process. We received overwhelming interest and support from this EOI process and are thrilled to announce the initial units selected:
- VMR Brisbane
- VMR Bribie Island
- QF2 Brisbane
- QF4 Caloundra
MRQ look forward to mapping out what a transition pathway that caters for the unit’s local requirements within the future MRQ model.
Thanks to all for your interest and they look forward to conducting these pilots and refining our transition approach in preparation for the launch of Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ).
Contingency Vessels
The vessel replacement program continues to progress with several builds underway or soon to go to contract. Some of these builds includes a contingent capability, that will strategically locate a small number of MRQ vessels at agreed locations across the State which can be transported for use by individual Units when their primary or secondary vessels require maintenance or repair or are offline for a period of time. Additionally, they may also be used for training, search, and rescue exercises, or deployed to assist communities during disasters.
MRQ currently have three of these contingency vessels and trailers on the way, which when ready, will be transported to locations that are in need.
As part of our modernisation of training methods and tools, volunteers will be able to take a simulated tour of a contingency vessel prior to its arrival to ensure they are familiar with it. Below you can see a 3D model of what these vessels will look like and the trailer used for transportation. They look forward to sharing more about these as the builds progress.
Blue Card Pilot Launch
During July, the MRIP team completed a Blue Card Pilot event at QF2 Brisbane where half of their active members completed a Blue Card application or linked their existing Blue Card to the Marine Rescue Queensland Blue Card organisational portal.
The team has met with representatives from AVCGA and VMRAQ and have now connected with over 16 Flotillas and Squadrons and 130 Blue Card applications processed in the past three weeks. If they haven’t been in touch yet and you are interested in nominating your unit to be part of this Blue Card rollout, please send an email to and they can contact you to discuss how we can best support your unit through this new process.
Participation in the Blue Card Pilots by volunteers is an entirely voluntary exercise prior to the transition to MRQ, however, all marine rescue volunteers will require a Blue Card on transition to MRQ.
Marine rescue volunteers conduct marine search and rescue operations, which may include attending medical emergencies and administering first aid. Additionally, injured people, including children, may present at marine rescue units, requiring help. Administering first aid generally requires physical contact with a person, and because this person may be a child, Blue Cards are essential.
This information was generated from the Marine Rescue Implementation Newsletter sent by QLD Police Service (August 2023).
To keep up to date with all marine industry news visit www.marinebusinessnews.com.au
