Palaszczuk Government continues to boost front line fire services

33 new firefighters are set to join the ranks of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to boost frontline services across the state. 

Fire Minister Jo-Ann Miller congratulated the new graduates today at a ceremony at the Combined Emergency Services Academy at Lytton. 

“After a grueling 78 days of training, these women and men have worked hard to learn the ropes and can’t wait to join crews right across the state to help keep Queenslanders safe,” Minister Miller said. 

“These new firefighters have been posted to communities right across the state which means the firefighting capacity of local crews in Townsville, Bowen, Mount Isa, Innisfail, Mackay, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and Brisbane have all been boosted thanks to today’s graduation.” 

Minister Miller said QFES was attracting a diverse group of recruits, including ex-defence personnel, former police and an Olympic softball silver medallist. 

“Diversity within our fire service is important. While only nine of today’s graduates are women, we are slowly getting better at recruiting women and I certainly hope to see an increase in the number of female firefighters while I’m Minister. 

“While those who become firefighters come from many different backgrounds –all of them come with a passion and strong desire to serve their local communities.” 

Acting Fire Commissioner Katarina Carroll said Queensland’s newest firefighters could go on to specialise in a range of disciplines and would continue to study and train over the next two and a half years. 

“The intense training they have just been through is only the beginning,” Acting Commissioner Katarina Carroll said. 

“Swift water rescue, road traffic crash rescue, vertical rescue, urban search and rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue and chemical response rescue are just some areas QFES professionals can be trained in.” 

For the first time, QFES recruits were accommodated at the Queensland Police Service Academy at Oxley, a under a new memorandum of understanding between the QPS and QFES.

“This agreement shows how closely our emergency services are working together,” Minister Miller said. 

“The Oxley facility provides a better environment for after-hours learning and physical training facilities for fire recruits. 

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to ensure the highly skilled women and men of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services receive the training and resources they need to protect lives and the property of Queenslanders.” 

[ENDS] 8 May 2015 

Media contact: John Gardiner (Minister Miller’s Office): 0408 623 467