New fire reforms set to support local brigades
By Sonia Isaacs
Acting Rural Fire Service Chief has said the new Queensland fire service restructure would effectively ‘empower’ local volunteer brigades, and there would be no change to brigade assets ownership.
Under new legislative changes to the Fire and Emergency Services Act, the Rural Fire Service (RFSQ) and Fire and Rescue Service (QFR) will now form part of the new Queensland Fire Department (QFD), with each as its own separate entity.
Acting Rural Fire Service Queensland Chief Officer, Peter Hollier, said the new legislation, set to kick into play on July 1, 2024, would serve to further acknowledge the integral role that volunteers play, particularly those from the Rural Fire Service brigades.
He said the new reforms, which represent some of the most substantial changes to Queensland’s disaster and emergency services framework, would empower the rural fire service by strengthening protections, increasing support, and building a more robust structure.
Mr Hollier added that the role local brigades play in fire response would not change.
“The Rural Fire Service will continue to provide the same high level of fire and emergency services to the community,” he said.
Mr Hollier said the new legislation would lead to the provision of more appliances and local brigade facilities to ensure firefighters had the equipment and resources they need to service their communities.
“Ultimately, this will mean more trucks, more protections and more staff to support our volunteers,” he said.
“These changes are consistent with other volunteer agencies and will establish a good foundation for the Rural Fire Service to continue to grow.”
In response to some concerns raised at the local level around brigade autonomy and financial control, Mr Hollier said the changes would improve accountability and transparency so brigades could see how local funds and assets were managed.
“It’s also important to understand that funds raised locally will continue to be spent locally,” he said.
“There will be no change to current ownership relating to brigade appliances and other assets.”
sonia@gcnews.com.au
