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Chloe Swiney

from Admin Assistant to First Nations Bushfire Safety Officer
I assist the community in reducing their bushfire risk.
Industry
Defence and Public Safety
Company
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES)
Job Level
Mid
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Ask me about

  • How my passion for helping the community turned into a career
  • My favourite opportunities working in the Emergency Services
  • The international trips I have gone on with my job

About me

  • International Experience
  • Regional Background

All through high school I wanted to be a lawyer but then, when I graduated, I wasn’t so sure. Instead, one week after graduation, I started working full-time in a plumbing shop as a Customer Service/Admin Officer.

In school, I watched my Dad who had been involved in Auxiliary Firefighting and I thought that was pretty cool, so I joined Auxiliaries also. I then joined the SES as a volunteer and stayed in all those positions for up to 7 years.

An opportunity came up to work for Rural Fire Service (RFS) as an Administration Officer for a 3-month contract. I took a leap of faith and left my 7-year job for a 3-month opportunity that turned into 2 years of admin work for RFS.

Along this journey, I created great working relationships and was able to get a great female mentor. After a couple of failed attempts, I was successful in getting the First Nations Bushfire Safety Officer role for Rural Fire Service Far Northern.

About my role

  • Decisive
  • Humorous
  • Logical
  • Passionate
  • Reliable

A Bushfire Safety Officer supports the coordination and delivery of bushfire mitigation activities by brigades and partners to enhance bushfire preparedness including education and engagement activities.

A First Nations Bushfire Safety Officer also undertakes specialised strategic projects aimed at enhancing the department's fire capacity to improve safety within Indigenous communities. The safety of communities is improved by the development of sustainable partnerships between community stakeholders and their partners.

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Education

  • High School Certificate
  • Cert 2 Public Safety

Subjects

  • Accounting
  • English
  • General Mathematics (Maths A)
  • Home Economics
  • Legal Studies
  • Marine Science

Hobbies

  • Beach adventures
  • Camping
  • Gym
  • Seeing family and friends
  • Travel

Pets

  • 2 Dog

15 year old me!!

“Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean you can't be it. Work hard, take every opportunity, you never know what the future may hold.”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Got a job in Admin
  2. Became an Auxiliary Firefighter
  3. Volunteered in the State Emergency Services
  4. Left my 7 year job for a temporary admin job in RFS
  5. Found my dream career in the Rural Fire Service

My typical day

My employer

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is the primary provider of fire and rescue, emergency management, and disaster mitigation programs and services throughout Queensland. They deliver this through our Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), Rural Fire Service (RFS) and State Emergency Service (SES).  As part of the Queensland Government, we are committed to building a diverse workforce that represents the community we serve.