Qld ready for summer bushfires despite chief's exit

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Greg Leach this week told Mr Ryan he had resigned and would leave at the end of October after almost four years at the helm.

Mr Leach leaves to take up an appointment in Victoria ahead of what looms as a hot, dry summer amid a QFES restructure.

By July 2024, the state will have a dedicated fire department while SES, disaster management and marine rescue will be linked with Queensland Police following an independent review.

Asked if Queensland would be able to handle the upcoming bushfire season, Mr Ryan said a lot of work had already been done.

"There's been more aerial firefighting fleets come online and ...ensured that the cooperation across all the respective agencies is as strong as it's ever been," he said.

State Minister Mark Ryan says Queensland is ready for the looming bushfire season.

Mr Ryan - also the Fire and Emergency Services Minister - said the search for Mr Leach's replacement would begin soon.

"It'll be sad to see Greg go. He's been an outstanding commissioner. But his family is still in Victoria and I can understand why he wanted an opportunity to go back home," the minister said.

"In the next short period of time, we'll start the process of recruiting a new fire commissioner and we'll announce that process and acting arrangements in due course."

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll on Friday ruled out returning as QFES chief, a position she held from 2015 to 2019.

Mr Ryan said with the restructuring ahead, the next QFES chief would have a firefighting background.

"What that (restructure) means is that QFES becomes a dedicated fire department," he told reporters.

"And as much as Katarina did a great job as the QFES commissioner, she's not a firefighter.

"So the next commissioner of the fire department will obviously be someone who has come through the ranks as a firefighter, and will be able to lead that dedicated fire department."