Queensland’s new fire-fighting force is here with the Queensland Fire Department officially in operation.
State Fire and Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd said the establishment of the new dedicated fire department would bring renewed focus to firefighting in Queensland, as the state continued to address the increasing challenges of population growth and climate change.
Minister Boyd said from today (July 1), the former Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) would become the Queensland Fire Department (QFD).
“Encompassing Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR) and Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ), the QFD will focus on firefighting and rescue operations in urban and rural environments across the state,” she said.
Minister Boyd said the QFD would continue to play a vital role in the response to severe weather, with QFR firefighters continuing swiftwater, vertical, confined space and other elements of technical rescue that were relied upon during natural disasters and other major incidents.
“QFR will receive a significant funding boost and an additional 143 firefighter positions to enhance its multi-hazard response capabilities to help protect communities and keep Queenslanders safe.”
Minister Boyd said with an ever-increasing demand for service, QFR would have an overall increase of 500 additional firefighters over six years.
She said RFSQ was undertaking a statewide recruitment campaign to fill an additional 114 newly created full-time positions in training, management and support roles to back more than 27,000 volunteers across Queensland communities.
“A new Rural Fire Service Advisory Committee (RFSAC) has been formed consisting of 10 volunteers from across the state and will be the peak consultative committee and advise the Chief Officer on strategic priorities including operations, fleet and equipment, training and development, and membership.”
Minister Boyd said both QFR and RFSQ had transitioned from a seven-region model to a service-specific four-region model, delivering a more streamlined response across the state.
