4 February 2025 | 12.00-2.00pm AEST (Queensland time)

Watch the recording now.

Celebrating world community engagement day, the Queensland Fire Department sponsored by Stewart & Heaton Clothing Company shared their experiences on collaborating with partner stakeholders and vulnerable communities to co-design inclusive grassroots community engagement strategies with our diverse communities, aimed at enhancing capable and connected communities.

In this online masterclass, hear from the QFD Community Engagement team, Public Information and warning unit and partners about the co-design of projects, practical tools and strategies formulated through collaboration between emergency services, partners, and the community. The team shared their lived experiences, discuss the benefits of community engagement working groups and workshop some real-world challenges.

This masterclass was supported by Stewart & Heaton Clothing Company, who are sponsors of the AFAC People First Award. The award was won by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services in August 2023 for the initiatives around Regional Community Engagement.

Presenters

Julianne Webster-Scott
Regional Community Engagement Coordinator, Queensland Fire Department

Julianne joined QFES in 2006 after a 15-year media and management career, bringing skills in strategy, event, and project management. A CQUniversity Business graduate, she became a regional community liaison officer, later transitioning to regional community engagement officer for EMQ in 2013.

During her career, Julianne expanded her expertise with an advanced diploma in public safety and experience as an Emergency Management Coordinator. Qualified in AIIMS logistics and public information, she has supported operations across Australia and Canada for fires, floods, and cyclones. Recognized with an Emergency Services Medal in 2022, flood and cyclone citations, and a service medallion, Julianne's work includes award-winning community projects earning the 2012 Qld Resilient Australia Award and the 2007 Safer Communities Award. She received the “People First Award” at the 2023 AFAC conference, reflecting her enduring dedication to disaster management and community resilience.

Raylene Baulch
Regional Community Engagement & Recruitment Officer, State Emergency Service, Central Region

Raylene joined the SES in 2016 bringing with her volunteering experience and a passion to support volunteers.  Qualified in AIIMS logistics, Raylene has supported operations and deployments within Queensland for fires, floods and cyclones.  Raylene has been awarded an Australia Day Achievement Award in 2019 for her dedication & commitment to providing exceptional services to volunteers within Central Region and also an Australia Day Achievement Award in 2024 for exceptional work as a Change Champion for the transition of the State Emergency Service to the Queensland Police Service.  Raylene works every day with her focus being supporting volunteers and the communities. 

Carmen Jensen
Community Engagement Officer, Disaster Management, Rockhampton Regional Council

I have spent over 12 years working with Rockhampton Regional Council in various community-focused roles, including Event Management and more recently as a Community Engagement Officer within the Disaster Management Unit. My work has always been centred around engaging with local stakeholders and fostering connections within the community. I enjoy being part of a team that works to address challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes for the region. I’m motivated by the fast-paced nature of the work and find it rewarding to tackle complex issues while continuing to develop my skills. Over the years, I've gained valuable experience in connecting with people, organising events, and supporting the community through different initiatives, with the goal of making a positive difference to community. 

Justin Fowler
Public Information Officer, Queensland Fire Department

Justin is a Public Information Officer at the Queensland Fire Department. As a key member of the Public Information and Warnings Unit he supports the delivery of public information and warnings across Queensland during critical incidents and disasters. He also spearheaded Queensland's Grassroots Community-led Warnings Awareness Pilot Programs as part of the Australian Warnings System implementation. These pilots were a collaborative initiative focused on developing community education tools and disaster response capability within vulnerable communities.

As a Communications professional Justin's passion for community engagement was ignited while working in local government libraries across Australia and New Zealand. It was here that he honed his skills in engagement and project delivery, including fostering a strong commitment to supporting communities during disasters. Motivated by a desire to make a positive impact, he is dedicated to connecting agencies and communities to work towards meaningful improvements in public information and warnings systems.

Brad Stockwell (Was unable to attend)
Director Regional Development -  Superintendent

Hello, I am Brad Stockwell a member of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) since 1993, where I commenced my career in Central Region, Airlie Beach as an auxiliary firefighter. In 1994 I transferred to Brisbane and began my full-time career as a permanent Firefighter, carrying out all the duties required for my position in a busy metro area.

In 2001 Brad was appointed to Station Officer in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane City and provided command, control and coordination of a major city fire station and staff.

Throughout my career I have been extremely lucky in taking on all and every opportunity exposed to myself. I was fortunate enough to gain a position in the QFES Commissioner’s office for 3 years and travel extensively throughout the State of Queensland reviewing the implementation of many and varying state projects and initiatives. I have also been deployed internationally and nationally for operational deployments and engagement. In 2017 I was appointed to the Senior Officer ranks as an and am presently the Director Regional Development -  Superintendent -  encompassing regional coordination of Queensland’s  QFD Central Region.

The appeal of regional living sparked a transfer to Central Region in 2010, where I reside in Yeppoon (just off Great Keppel Island) with my wife and family, being 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren. In any spare time, available I enjoy boating and all aspects associated.