Emergency Services boost for Brisbane

Emergency Services in Brisbane will receive a major boost from the record $744.1 million budget for the Department of Emergency Services, Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell said today.

Mr Purcell said the Budget committed a record amount of funding for grass roots improvements including the employment of additional ambulance officers, the replacement and upgrade of essential vehicles and infrastructure, and the introduction of key programs to support community preparedness for disaster.

“This budget will ensure the Department of Emergency Services will continue to deliver world-class emergency services to the people of Brisbane,” Mr Purcell said.

Places for 20 new paramedics will be funded in the 2006-07 Budget as part of the Government’s commitment to addressing an ageing and increasing population.

Also, a further 27 ambulance officers will be recruited this year as part of a $35.3 million commitment to increase staff numbers.

In addition the Beattie Government will continue to allocate record levels of funding for capital works for the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) including:

• $2.4 million for the completion of the new Carindale Ambulance Station,
• $775,000 towards the new Birkdale Ambulance Station,
• $492,000 towards the new Narangba Ambulance Station,
• $1.09 million for the new Samford Ambulance Station,
• $2.7 million towards the construction of the replacement Balmoral Ambulance Station, and
• $50,000 for the planning of a replacement Spring Hill Ambulance Station.

As part of the Government's Counter Terrorism initiative $4.6 million will be made available to implement responsibilities across the State, with particular emphasis in the heavily populated south eastern corner, including Brisbane.

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) in Brisbane will benefit from two new specialist attack vehicles, in addition the region will share in $2.2 million funding to upgrade technical communications and operational equipment.

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service capital works funding of $36.9 million state-wide will support the refurbishment of fire stations at Eatons Hill and Kenmore, while the Oxley/Durack and Mt Gravatt stations will be replaced.

Also, planning will start for a new fire station at Burpengary, which is a commitment to the population growth in that area. In the 2006-07 Budget, $450,000 has been allocated for this important new project, as part of a $3.25 million commitment over three years.

$9.2 million will be provided for the Roma Street joint ambulance and fire facility redevelopment.

An investment of $4.4 million will be made to complete the implementation of the new Emergency Services Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system across the State. In addition more than $1.5 million will be spent ahead of completion of the CAD system, to upgrade Fire Communications (Firecom) centres, including the Brisbane Fire Communications Centre at Spring Hill.

The Budget will also enhance the Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) rescue helicopter service, with a $7.3 million commitment for the replacement of the Bell 412 fleet, including the rescue helicopter based in Brisbane.

This infrastructure funding in the Budget reflects the Beattie Government’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for Emergency Services personnel.

In addition, State Emergency Service volunteers will benefit from a $2.4 million commitment to improving training procedures and equipment, with extra personal protective equipment and additional communication tools to be available to all units.

“The Beattie Government’s Budget commitment to Brisbane is significant not only in dollar terms but also in regards to the high level of service and safety this funding will provide to local communities,” Mr Purcell said.

“The increase in funding for new personnel, further support for staff and volunteers, as well as for building new facilities, highlights the Beattie Government’s commitment to emergency services.

“This Budget will ensure there are more people in more stations, with better equipment and this translates into creating a safer Queensland,” Mr Purcell said.

Media contacts:
Daniel Landon 07 3247 8194, 0437 837 976;
Corinne Mulholland 07 3247 8992, 0438 758 532.