Fire and Emergency Services Minister opens upgraded Mornington Island facility

Rural Fire Brigade (RFB) and State Emergency Services (SES) crews will have extra room for their appliances and equipment under a $150,000 upgrade to their Mornington Island facility, opened by Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford today (Tuesday).

Mr Crawford said the extension to the joint facility on the Gulf of Carpentaria island, was funded under a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Capital Works Grant.

“I’m proud to officially open the new, improved Mornington Island Emergency Services Facility, which houses RFB and SES volunteers,” Mr Crawford said.

“The extension was necessary because of the recent handover of a second appliance to the RFB, and a new support vehicle for the SES.

“The upgraded facility means Mornington Island emergency services personnel have more capacity to respond to emergency events and protect communities when they need it most.

“RFB and SES volunteers are highly valued by the community, and this is just one way we can support the excellent work they do.”

The Mornington Island RFB, which covers more than 1000 square kilometres, has 42 members who responded to 20 incidents in the past financial year.

The Mornington Shire SES Unit sits within the Mt Isa Area and has five active volunteers across two groups – Mornington Island SES Group and Sweers Island SES Group. Since July 2017, the SES Unit has volunteered 226 hours in training, administration, group exercises, courses, public education, recruitment, fundraising and equipment maintenance.

Mr Crawford thanked Mornington Shire Council for its in-kind support by contributing to the construction of the extension - providing work for their crews.

“This is a great asset for the RFB and SES volunteers of Mornington Island, who will use it to continue building safe and resilient communities by empowering people to help themselves and others,” he said.

ENDS

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