Burdekin SES Local Controller Warren Francis Bids Farewell

After seven years of service, including two and a half as Local Controller, the Burdekin State Emergency Service is farewelling one of its steady hands, with Warren Francis officially stepping down from the role.

Mr Francis and his wife Jenny, also a committed member of the Burdekin SES, are relocating to Warwick after she secured what he described as a “tremendous job opportunity,” with the move meaning both will step away from their local duties.

For Mr Francis, the decision is bittersweet.

“The thing that makes me smile is the support,” he said.

“I've been absolutely blessed to have such wonderful people working in this unit, absolute legends, every last one of them.”

His departure caps off a significant chapter for the Burdekin SES. During his tenure as Local Controller, volunteership doubled to more than 50 members across the Burdekin branches, strengthening the unit’s capacity to respond to the region’s frequent emergencies. On average, the unit now responds to about 160 jobs a year from storm damage and flood response to search and rescue operations.

Before leading the SES locally, Mr Francis brought with him 37 years of experience as a Queensland police officer, much of it spent as a search and rescue specialist in Brisbane and as far north as the Torres Strait. In that time, he worked closely with SES crews and Marine Rescue Queensland volunteers.

“I was probably one of the biggest users of SES and Marine Rescue Queensland in the state in those days… and I just felt I should pay back,” he said.

Beyond his SES leadership, Mr Francis also worked with Burdekin Shire Council as a disaster management officer, further embedding himself in the region’s emergency response framework and strengthening coordination between agencies.

Deputy Group Leader of Rita Island SES, Deb Calligaro, said his impact on the organisation would be lasting.

“Warren Francis has been an amazing leader as the Local Controller for Burdekin SES, and is a great mentor, supporter, and friend,” she said.

“I have been so lucky to have worked with Warren and I have learnt valuable skills and life lessons from our SES training.”

“Warren & Jenny have become lifelong friends of mine and they will both be sadly missed—not just by me, but also the wider Burdekin Community.”

While the Burdekin loses a respected leader, Mr Francis made it clear his commitment to service isn’t ending, but is simply changing postcodes.

After seven years of service, including two and a half as Local Controller, the Burdekin State Emergency Service is farewelling one of its steady hands, with Warren Francis officially stepping down from the role. Photo credit: Jacob Casha

‍