Queensland Fire and Emergency Services help uni students sleep easy after fire

Published Thursday, 04 April, 2019 at 04:51 PM

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Craig Crawford

More than 100 James Cook University students who cannot return to their fire-affected dorm will sleep easy tonight on Queensland Fire and Emergency Services’ camp beds.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the stretchers had been sourced from QFES’ Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) cache in Townsville.

“QFES was asked to provide the camp beds and bedding for about 120 students and, thanks to our ever-ready DART supplies, they were able to help out,” he said.

“Displaced students needed temporary beds after the fire damaged one of the dorms and QFES was able to help out.

“QFES have already made a special delivery of stretchers, blankets, sleeping bags and pillows to the university to give the students a hand at this difficult time.

“This ensures minimal disruption to their studies and lives until more long-term arrangements can be made.”

QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said QFES disaster response resources were there to benefit the whole of the north Queensland community.

“This DART cache is there to use whenever there is a major emergency or disaster incident, such as the recent Townsville floods,” Ms Carroll said.

“During that incident we used the DART cache to accommodate personnel from across the state to ensure the Townsville community benefited from a first-class response.

“Alongside tents, bedding and accommodation capability, the DART cache also includes specialist response equipment, such as high-tech search cameras and important cutting or lifting gear.

“Having this capability based in the region ensures it is available for any situation at a moment’s notice.”

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