Fire service boost for Deception Bay, Burpengary and Narangba

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is building a new fire station, deploying two new fire appliances and appointing 19 permanent full-time fighters as part of an historic upgrade of fire services in the growing region of Deception Bay, Burpengary and Narangba, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said.

Mr Roberts and local MP Dean Wells (Murrumba) officially handed over the two fire appliances, worth almost $900,000, for the new Burpengary fire station and the Deception Bay auxiliary fire station.

Mr Wells said a Mercedes Atego Type 3 appliance, costing $480,000, was handed over for the new Burpengary fire station. This will be temporarily based with the 19 staff at the Deception Bay auxiliary fire station until the completion of the new $3.25 million fire station to be located at Pitt Road, Burpengary. It is expected that this new station will be completed in September 2008.

"This appliance has a large water-carrying capacity, as well as on-board foam tanks to allow rapid attack for bushfires and flammable liquid fires as well as carrying the latest road crash rescue equipment,” Mr Wells said.

Mr Roberts welcomed the new Burpengary crew who were commencing their first shift this morning at the station with their new Mercedes Atego Type 3 fire appliance.

"From today the Deception Bay auxiliary fire station will be staffed 24/7 with a crew of one Station Officer and three Firefighters until the Burpengary fire station comes online in addition to this permanent crewing the current Deception Bay auxiliary staff will provide additional backup service.

"The other appliance, for the Deception Bay auxiliary fire station,

is a new $315,000 Type 2 Isuzu Medium Pumper fire appliance and it

will remain with the Deception Bay crew after the Burpengary crew is transitioned to the new station."

"The appliance is a state-of-the-art firefighting vehicle which includes road crash rescue equipment and a capability of pumping 2000 litres of water per minute."

Mr Roberts said the addition of a 24-hour permanently staffed station at Burpengary was in recognition of the growing population and the demand for fire and rescue services across the region.

"This new station will provide even greater protection for local residents and their property,” Mr Roberts said.

"The permanent station at Burpengary will also provide improved

community education and public safety for our local communities."

Mr Roberts said he paid tribute to Mr Wells for his representations on behalf of his constituents for upgraded fire services.

"QFRS has been undertaking consultation with residents and ratepayers in Deception Bay, Burpengary, Narangba and Beachmere areas," he said.

"The additional station at Burpengary with the existing auxiliary

and rural fire services will be further enhanced by the future relocation of the Redcliffe fire station to a new $3.13 million replacement station at Kippa-Ring."

Mr Roberts said by creating an additional station at Burpengary, with an urban fire appliance and 19 staff, the fire levy arrangements in the area will change to reflect the improved coverage. For properties within a 12-minute response capability of the new Burpengary fire station the A class urban fire levy of $146.80 will apply. A 20% discount is available for eligible pensioners.

1 July 2008
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Minister’s office) 3247 8194 or 0418 197 350