Four local firefighters honoured at Toowoomba

Four Toowoomba region firefighters have been honoured for their service to the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service in a ceremony at Toowoomba today.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the ceremony recognised the important contribution of the QFRS and the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) to the Toowoomba region.

Mr Roberts said the firefighters honoured with the QFRS National Medal were Wayne Grieve (Firefighter), Shane McEarlean (Senior Firefighter) and Michael Solomon (Lieutenant). Auxiliary Firefighter Neville McCabe received the QFRS clasp.

The National Medal recognises diligent long service in organisations that protect life and property at some risk to their members. Recipients are entitled to the National Medal after 15 years of service and a Clasp is awarded to a National Medal after each additional 10 years of service.

“These four firefighters represent decades of dedicated service to protecting Queensland communities and Queenslanders. I offer my sincere congratulations for their dedication and professionalism,” Mr Roberts said.

During his visit to the QAS in Toowoomba, Mr Roberts inspected two new vehicles added to the fleets of the local ambulance and QFRS stations.

The QAS has recently received a replacement ambulance vehicle at a cost of $200,000. The F350 ambulance vehicle is a double-stretcher that has been fitted out as a standard patient care vehicles.

The QFRS Anzac Avenue Fire Station has received a 2007 Mercedes Atego Type 3 pumper. The vehicle, valued at $510,000, is fully fitted with road accident equipment.

“Both the QAS and QFRS are world-class services thanks to the dedication and professionalism of its staff, their ready access to emergency response vehicles and equipment, and the support of the local community,” Mr Roberts said.

7 December 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350