New fire facilities for Gin Gin and Tirroan

Gin Gin and Tirroan have received a boost this weekend with the official opening of new fire facilities for their local Rural Fire Brigades.

The new, purpose-built facilities were opened by Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell.

The Gin Gin facility, which was built at a cost of $52 000, was opened in a ceremony on Saturday. The Tirroan facility, which cost $35 000, was opened on Sunday.

Mr Purcell congratulated the brigades on the opening of the new facilities.

“The new facilities will give hard-working rural fire volunteers a new home, enabling them to provide an even higher level of service to their local community. It is a magnificent achievement by the Brigades to now have a dedicated fire facility in their area.”

“However, new facilities don’t mean too much without the right people to use them, and in the Rural Fire Service there are some of the most committed volunteers in the State.

“The 44,000 rural fire volunteers around the State do a great job helping to protect the safety and wellbeing of Queenslanders, in what are often difficult and dangerous conditions.”

Mr Purcell also thanked the families for the support they provided to rural fire volunteers, and employers who released their staff to fight fires.

At the Tirroan ceremony, Mr Purcell also formally recognised the achievements of three long-serving members of the Monduran District Rural Fire Brigade:

• Stanley Gosser: awarded the National Medal and 1^st Clasp to the National Medal
• Douglas Wakelin: awarded the National Medal and 1^st Clasp to the National Medal
• Sydney (Bill) Ashford: awarded the 1^st Clasp to the National Medal.

“Each recipient has given 26 years of service to the Monduran District Brigade. This is a great achievement, and I would like to thank them for the ongoing commitment to their local community,” Mr Purcell said.

The National Medal is awarded to individuals who have given 15 years of service to organisations that help the community during times of crisis. Clasps to the National Medal are awarded for each subsequent 10 years of service.

With Queensland again facing bushfire season, Mr Purcell encouraged all residents to prepare their home and property against fire.

“I urge residents to do the right thing by the hard-working rural fire volunteers and take steps to ensure they don’t have to fight fires unnecessarily.”

Some basic bushfire preparation measures are:

• Clearing away rubbish and debris from areas of your property
• Keeping grass areas well maintained and watered
• Clearing gutters of leaf litter and debris
• Storing flammable items and stockpiles of timber well away from homes or other assets.

Media contacts: Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571;
Daniel Landon 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976.