Andrew Short was appointed Assistant Commissioner (AC), State Emergency Service (SES) in July 2019. Previously Andrew operated as the AC, Human Capital Management, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), for the period 2016-2019. Andrew’s career in emergency management within Queensland spans over 35 years.
Following the period between 1986 and 1995 where he operated as a frontline firefighter, he commenced his first senior role in 1996 at Inspector level within the then QFRA, where he was responsible for regional operational planning within South Eastern Region. In 2000 he was promoted to Superintendent within Strategic Policy and Planning – heading up the organisation’s strategic performance and assessment capability. His promotion to Chief Superintendent then occurred in 2009, as the Director of the School of Fire and Emergency Services, with this role accountabilities including operating as the CEO of the QFRS then QFES Registered Training Organisation. Andrew’s interest in how people best function in support of organisational objectives is central to his motivation and focus in undertaking the role of an AC. Andrew has a Master of Leadership and Management tertiary qualification, as well as post graduate qualifications in applied management and executive leadership, and in 2017 completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course. For his organisational commitment and efforts, in 2007 Andrew was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for a wide range of operational and business improvements.