Queensland pays tribute to State's unsung heroes on Yellow Ribbon Day

• September 16 marks Yellow Ribbon Day across the State.
• The annual celebration is dedicated to more than 27,600 Rural Fire Service Queensland volunteers.
• Queenslanders encouraged to show their support by wearing a yellow ribbon today. 

The Crisafulli Government has paid tribute to the State’s Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) volunteers on Yellow Ribbon Day, recognising their vital work keeping Queenslanders safe.  

With just under 1400 brigades spread across Queensland, more than 27,600 RFSQ volunteers regularly give up their time and risk their lives to defend communities from bushfires. 

Throughout the last financial year, RFSQ crews responded to more than 2900 incidents in which they were the lead service. 

RFSQ volunteers also play a major role in disaster recovery, especially when floods hit. Earlier this year when large parts of Queensland were inundated, RFSQ volunteers put their hands up to help in the extensive clean-up effort, performing a combined total of more than 500 washouts. 

Queenslanders are being encouraged to show their support today for the State’s unsung heroes by wearing a yellow ribbon. 

Minister Ann Leahy said a recent outbreak of bushfires across southeast and central Queensland showed just how vital the RFSQ’s volunteer army was to protecting communities. 

“Over the final weekend of August, we saw a sudden burst of 180 vegetations fires, requiring hundreds of RFSQ volunteers to jump into action,” Ms Leahy said. 

“This is just an example of how quickly bushfires can get out of control in certain conditions, but also of how quickly and effectively our volunteers can mobilise and defend their fellow Queenslanders. 

“It’s the reason the Crisafulli Government has invested so heavily in providing as much support to ground crews as possible, including $12.7 million to strengthen the QFD aerial firefighting fleet for the next five years, $23 million for new and replacement RFSQ trucks, and $13.2 million for stations.” 

QFD Commissioner Steve Smith said Queenslanders could be confident that volunteer members were always at the ready, even with average fire conditions forecast for the State during Spring. 

“Our volunteer members are not just committed to bushfire response, but also the preparation work that happens throughout the year,” Mr Smith said. 

“Our 27,600 volunteer members have worked tirelessly with landholder agencies and government partners on mitigation efforts, in addition to training to sharpen their skills and processes.” 

RFSQ Chief Officer Kaylene Jones said volunteer members made considerable sacrifices in terms of leisure time and hours spent with family, but they did so because they were proud to serve. 

“They are our first line of defense when bushfires hit our communities, performing an enormously important task while sacrificing time with their own loved ones,” Ms Jones said. 

“I’d also like to acknowledge the support provided to our volunteers by their employers, who show understanding and flexibility in allowing workers to take leave at short notice so that they can answer calls for assistance.