Record Emergency Service Budget For Frontline Service Delivery

Emergency services throughout Queensland will receive a major boost from the record $849.3 million Department of Emergency Services 2007-08 State Budget.

Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell said the Budget committed a record figure to ensure that all Queensland communities remain safe and secure through frontline operational service delivery, disaster prevention and mitigation and community education.

“This Budget is committed to grass roots improvement, including the employment of additional ambulance officers, the introduction of key programs to support community preparedness for disasters and infrastructure to enhance operational support,” Mr Purcell said.

Mr Purcell said the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) budget, which includes an increase of $48.7 million on last year to $404.4 million, would ensure the paramedics and QAS staff could continue to deliver world-class patient care to all Queenslanders as the State’s population increases at almost twice the national rate.

Increased recurrent funding for the Queensland Ambulance Service has been provided to meet the growing demand for services. This includes recruitment of an additional 250 ambulance officers and the upgrade of critical ambulance equipment and facilities across the State, and is on top of the more than 220 extra staff employed in 2006-07.

Mr Purcell said the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) has also received an additional $36 million, to a total of $360.1 million, to ensure that communities remain safe and secure through frontline operational service delivery and on-going community education.

“The QFRS has been allocated $43.6 million to upgrade and improve firefighting facilities, vehicles and operational equipment, along with other fire communication facilities across the State,” he said.

“More than $12.3 million will be spent in 2007-08 on the construction, redevelopment and refurbishment of fire stations throughout the state, including $2.3 million to commence construction of a new fire station at Burpengary north of Brisbane.”

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Mr Purcell said there was also $26.6 million ($8.9 million over three years) for the introduction of three state-of-the-art Agusta Westland 139 helicopters, upgrading the current Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) Rescue fleet, part of the total EMQ budget of $84.8 million.

The 2007-08 Budget also included:

·$41.7 million (as part of a $70.4 million over two years) for the construction of a new state-of-the-art communications and emergency disaster coordination centre to replace the existing fire and ambulance triple zero communications facilities in Brisbane and South East Region.

·As part of a 2006 election commitment, $12.7 million ($52 million over five years) toward volunteer preparedness and response capability through increased training, equipment and strengthening existing radio communications infrastructure.

·$22.3 million to be spent on redeveloping and upgrading the Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy at Whyte Island in Brisbane.

·An additional $8.2 million funding over the next four years toward the Torres Strait helicopter service to increase their capacity to a twin engine aircraft, capable of flying at night and during poor visibility.

·As part of the 2006 election commitment, $2.2 million will be spent over five years to introduce the 132 500 national SES telephone phone number for emergency response to storms, floods and cyclones.

·$15.7 million for 140 new ambulance vehicles.

·$4.7 million ($13.4 million over five years) to continue to enhance the department’s capacity and capability to respond to chemical, biological and radiological incendiary explosives incidents.

·As part of a 2006 election commitment,$2 million to support Surf Life Saving Queensland ($6.4 million over four years) for additional beach patrols and equipment and the Royal Life Saving Society of Queensland ($1.2 million over four years) to expand water safety campaigns.

·$750,000 to continue to implement a range of service delivery, community safety, training and employment initiatives in Indigenous communities.

“This Budget demonstrates the Beattie Government’s dedication to the safety and protection of Queenslanders, and also recognises the vital work of the many volunteers who support our emergency services,” Mr Purcell said.

“The delivery of rapid, reliable and professional service to Queenslanders will continue to be a priority for my Department.”

Media contact: Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571.

Brendan Connell 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976