Doing what matters: new volunteer firefighting equipment

• More than $654,000 in new Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) equipment announced including drones, portable water storage and virtual reality training systems.
• New operational and training equipment is in addition to $15 million in light attack appliances on order for RFSQ.

The Miles Government is doing what matters for volunteer rural firefighters helping to keep Queenslanders safe.  

At Friday night's Yellow Ribbon Day event recognising the commitment of Queensland’s 27,000 rural volunteer firefighters, Fire and Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd announced a state-wide rollout of $654,000 in new operational and training equipment for RFSQ.

Yellow Ribbon Day is an initiative started by Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland.

Over coming weeks, each RFSQ region will receive five 10,000 litre collapsible and portable water tanks and two Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) drones with seven new virtual reality training systems also available for use around the state.

A Retardant and Suppressant Computerised Automated Loading (RASCAL) system for gel or water re-supply during aviation firefighting is also being added to RFSQ capability.     

Contracts worth more than $15 million are also in place for the delivery around Queensland of 91 Light Attack appliances, often the first line of defence for firefighters battling blazes in hard-to-reach locations.

The appliances are part of a $19.5 million Miles Government Budget commitment for new and replacement RFSQ trucks.

Last fire season, RFSQ volunteers from 1,400 rural brigades kept Queenslanders safe by responding to more than 7,500 bushfires and nearly 30,000 vegetation fires, across more than 3.29 million hectares.

Quotes attributable to Fire and Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd:

“Our tireless rural firefighter volunteers in yellow are the backbone of safe communities and deserve the recognition of Queenslanders.

“The new equipment the Miles Government is rolling out is about backing rural volunteer firefighters who protect and support local communities.

“Yellow Ribbon Day began in 2013 and was born out of protest.

“The Miles Government continues Labor’s record investment in RFSQ and acknowledgment of the commitment of volunteers to building a stronger, safer, more resilient Queensland.

“This is stark contrast to the former LNP government who flagged cuts to paid rural fire service staff as part of their first budget.”      

Quotes attributable to Queensland Fire Department (QFD) Commissioner Steve Smith:

“Our RFSQ volunteer members provide a range of services to help keep Queensland safe, from assisting landowners with mitigation activities, to frontline firefighting and community education,” Mr Smith said.

“Yellow Ribbon Day is an important time for us to show our thanks and acknowledge the sacrifices they make to help Queenslanders in times of need.

“The equipment boost delivered over the coming weeks will be of great benefit to our crews this bushfire season and beyond.”

Quotes attributable to Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) Chief Officer Ben Millington:

“This year marks our first Yellow Ribbon Day as the new RFSQ and it’s a very exciting time for the service, as we continue to invest in the volunteers who play such a vital role in the safety of Queensland communities,” Mr Millington said.

“These light attack vehicles are the first line of defence for remote or difficult to access areas and allow for a swift response in places that some of our other appliances may not be able to reach.

“The water collar tanks can be set up in a range of locations and are often strategically positioned for aviation water resupply, while the drones provide invaluable safety benefits to our crews by enabling them to get better visibility of fires before going in themselves.

“The virtual reality training systems provide a unique ability for our crews to immerse themselves in various scenarios they may face during operations while in a safe and controlled environment.”

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Yellow Ribbon Day background (from RFBAQ website)

An RFBAQ initiative born out of protest, Yellow Ribbon Day is now a way of acknowledging the commitment and dedication that 28,000 rural fire brigade volunteers provide to Queensland.

Gaining bi-partisan support on the first Parliamentary sitting day in September, Yellow Ribbon Day is the physical way that politicians, councils, business and members of the public can show support for all Rural Fire Brigades and the volunteers who wear the yellow coat and ride the yellow trucks.

Not tied to any claims and not as a fundraiser, the intent of the day is to engender a positive conversation, which is now supported by RFSQ Area Offices supplying yellow ribbons.

The RFBAQ has supplied many thousands of pre-cut ribbons to brigades and volunteers (free of charge) who have requested them as well as supplying ribbons to the RFBAQ Kedron Park complex and RFSQ Area Offices.

This statement replaces the statement which was posted at 4:00pm Friday 23rd August 2024.