QFES fleet to be bolstered by 180 new appliances under Palaszczuk Government Budget funding

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford today (Tuesday) revealed the Palaszczuk Government Budget will commit more than $44 million for 180 new urban and rural fire appliances in 2018-19.

Handing over a new $870,000 appliance to crews at Nerang Fire and Rescue Station, Mr Crawford said next week’s Budget would fund the delivery of 61 new Fire and Rescue vehicles – and another 119 for the Rural Fire Service.

“The Palaszczuk Government – and QFES ­– is delivering on its commitment to community safety, so it’s vital frontline firefighters and volunteers have access to state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure,” Mr Crawford said.

“Our budget will invest $44.3 million in the replacement and delivery of new urban and rural fire appliances, which will go a long way in bolstering firefighting efforts right across the state.”

Mr Crawford said the investment built on work already being undertaken by the Palaszczuk Government to renew QFES’ fleet. He said the 180 new appliances due next financial year were on top of the more than 100 already delivered under the government’s Capital Works program for 2017-18.

“That will be a statewide total of more than 280 over two financial years, and even better the appliances are completed locally, through Queensland-based companies,” Mr Crawford said.

“In addition, local parts are sourced to provide maintenance and servicing for the life span of vehicles,” he said.

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the new QFES appliances confirmed the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to ensuring fire and emergency service personnel continued delivering their high standard of service to the Queensland community.

“The boost to the QFES fleet is welcome news not only here on the Gold Coast, but right across the state,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Like the latest addition to the Nerang station’s fleet – an $850,000 Lima specialist rescue appliance – these new vehicles will be fitted with state-of-the-art equipment.

“And the new RFS appliances ensure our dedicated volunteers have the best equipment to help protect their local communities,” she said.

QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the extra appliances would bolster QFES operations across the state.

“QFES has seen a consistent rise in the demand for our services and with the state’s population growth, we need to be prepared for the future,” Ms Carroll said.  

“The new vehicles will be positioned strategically across the state and will increase not only community safety, but also the safety of our QFES staff and volunteers.”

ENDS

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