Palaszczuk Government boosts Sunshine Coast Hinterland fire services

The Palaszczuk Government has today provided a major boost to fire services in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland with the opening of the new Pomona Fire and Emergency Services station.

Fire Minister Jo-Ann Miller said the state-of-the-art facility on Reserve Street would ensure frontline fire services kept up to pace with the needs of the busy and growing community.

“This new fire station is a far cry from the old one on Factory Street which was located at the bottom of a hill and was regularly flooded, damaging the building and the equipment inside,” Minister Miller said.

“While it was important to build a new station, we know it’s not just about delivering new buildings. That’s why the Government provided $2.6 million for the new station as well as new equipment to go with it.

“The station features a double appliance bay which will house Pomona’s new fully-equipped Type 2 Urban Pumper Tanker and a new service fire truck capable of a wide range of field duties and providing support to busy crews on the ground.”

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Acting Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the facility had modern and up-to-date breathing apparatus, cleaning facilities including washing and drying facilities and storage for face masks and spare cylinders.

“In the past two years, Pomona crews have responded to 80 incidents including road crashes, grass and wild fires as well as structure fires,” Acting Commissioner Carrol said.

“This station services many smaller, rural communities and the new service fire truck handed over today will mean firies will be able to respond more quickly to incidents right across the area – and as we know, seconds can count in these situations.”

Minister Miller said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to keeping the people of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland safe.

“Today’s opening builds on our commitment to ensure better local responses to emergencies and is just one way this Government is ensuring that growing communities like this one are getting the boost to frontline services that they need.”

[ENDS] May 13 2015

Media contact: Brent Davidson (Minister Miller’s Office) 0438 696 185