Queensland has taken out the State Emergency Service (SES) National Disaster Rescue Challenge held over the weekend on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland.
The winning Queensland team, from the Gold Coast City SES Unit, competed against State and Territory Emergency Service teams from across Australia.
Held nationally every two years, the challenge saw teams rotate through eight realistic disaster scenarios that tested and showcased the range of skills SES volunteers train for, use and practise to support their communities during disasters and emergencies.
The Gold Coast City SES Unit earned the right to represent Queensland SES after winning the Queensland Disaster Rescue Challenge, which was hosted in the Far Northern Region last year.
Similar regional and state competitions were also held across Australia, given hundreds of SES members he opportunity to practise and test their skills ahead of the national challenge.
Queensland team leader Levi Healey said the Gold Coast City SES Unit undertook extensive additional training for the national event, after winning the state challenge in Cairns last year.
“Our team has been absolutely flat out, putting more than 500 hours into training for this national challenge. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to our fellow SES members across Gold Coast and South Eastern Region for their support in running many scenarios that helped test and prepare us for competition,” Levi said.
This year’s national challenge was hosted by the Queensland SES, with more than 200 volunteers and staff from across the state travelling to the Tablelands to deliver the event.
Queensland SES members have spent the last year planning and preparing the challenge scenarios and coordinating the associated logistics.
Deputy Commissioner Chris Stream congratulated the Queensland SES team on taking out the 2026 National Disaster Rescue Challenge.
“This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to the skill, dedication and teamwork of our Queensland SES volunteers,” Deputy Commissioner Stream said.
“To come together and perform at this level against teams from across Australia demonstrates the professionalism and capability our SES volunteers bring to their communities every day.
“Queensland is no stranger to severe weather and natural disasters, and having highly trained, capable, and committed SES volunteers is an incredibly important part of our disaster response.
“I congratulate the entire Queensland team on an exceptional result and thank all those involved who made this year’s challenge possible.”
Queensland SES Acting Chief Officer Danny Baade said that the challenge demonstrated the commitment of SES volunteers.
“It’s a privilege to host teams representing SES volunteers from around the country.
“Australians sees the incredible work our SES volunteers do during emergencies and disasters, but what is less visible are the many hours they put in behind the scenes. SES members regularly train, maintain their equipment and depots, work alongside other emergency services to prepare for disasters, support the development of fellow volunteers, and undertake community engagement to help Australians understand their risks and plan for emergencies,” he said.
“The National Disaster Rescue Challenge is an important opportunity for SES volunteers to test their skills, learn from one another and build strong connections with teams from across Australia. It also gives the community confidence that, when disasters strike, highly trained and committed volunteers are ready to respond and support Australians when they need it most.
“Running the NDRC here in Queensland, just before the severe weather season, is also a great testing ground for our technology, systems, communication, and people. This event is about demonstrating to the community that your SES is ready, but more importantly, we are all ready, together.”
Teams represented every state and territory except the Northern Territory. South Australia will host the next National Disaster Rescue Challenge in 2028.
Award winners
Highest overall points winner: Queensland (pictured below)
Highest overall points runner-up: New South Wales
Highest overall points third-place: Victoria
Hori Howard Spirit of the Challenge Award: Tasmania
Team Leader Award: Levi Healey, Queensland (pictured below)
Best First Aid Team: Queensland (pictured below)
Mike escape (non-competition scenario, fastest rescue): Tasmania
