Revamped emergency services to improve response times

Emergency services in Queensland have been revamped in a bid to improve response times.

Queensland Police will take responsibility for expanded disaster and emergency co-ordination functions with the State Emergency Service and Marine Rescue Queensland operating as entities under police.

The government has also established the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) to take charge of the rural fire service and Queensland fire and rescue service.

Local waters will be patrolled and monitored by Marine Rescue Queensland as the state's first single, integrated marine rescue service.

The government has pledged $578 million over five years and an increase of almost 500 full time emergency services staff through the reforms.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the changes would strengthen support in the face of natural disasters.

"The new laws and changes will help create a stronger, safer, more resilient Queensland through better aligned and dedicated services to build our state's resilience, prevention and response," he said.

"This unprecedented change will ensure our volunteers are supported with more resources and more equipment to continue their valuable lifesaving work."

The reforms have been welcomed by Queensland Police and fire and emergency services.

Acting commissioner of Queensland's fire and emergency service Steve Smith said it was a new era for the state.

"The passing of this legislation marks a critical milestone as we transition from QFES to the QFD," he said.

But the state opposition argued volunteers were disregarded when the bills were debated.

"Labor ignored their contributions to improve emergency services and failed to provide them with the basic information they requested in good faith," Opposition emergency services spokesperson Dale Last said.

"The volunteers were speaking out both personally and on behalf of the communities that support them, but this government refused to consult in a meaningful manner."