850 QFES personnel begin deploying to the Gold Coast for Commonwealth Games

The first deployment of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel has arrived on the Gold Coast ahead of the Commonwealth Games, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said today (Wednesday).

Mr Crawford said the initial deployment of 30 staff will begin establishing an “operational presence’’ in several locations, including the Games Village.

“It’s not just the athletes and officials arriving on the Gold Coast ahead of next month’s Commonwealth Games,” Mr Crawford said.

“Thirty of the 850 QFES personnel who will deploy to the Gold Coast between March 20 and April 18, have arrived to make sure everyone involved in the Commonwealth Games has a safe and enjoyable experience.

“There will be four deployments of personnel from Brisbane to the Gold Coast under QFES’ Operation Paratus, and they will be based at Games venues as well as outdoor events and Games festival celebrations.

“The presence of our highly-skilled staff and volunteers will mean that no matter what the event, specialists in fire, rescue and emergency response will be on-hand should any issues arise.

“The QFES workforce will participate in the equivalent of more than 3400 operational shifts during the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

Mr Crawford said the 850 personnel – comprising 400 staff and 450 volunteers – were being deployed under the Palaszczuk Government’s $11 million QFES Commonwealth Games program.

“This morning (Wednesday), I had the pleasure of meeting some of the personnel attached to our dedicated QFES Commonwealth Games Office,” Mr Crawford said.

“Some of these staff have been working in this team for three years. They’ve been liaising closely with Games partners to ensure a collaborated approach to emergency planning at Gold Coast 2018.

“A key lesson learned from Glasgow 2014 by the Scotland Fire and Rescue Service was the importance of establishing a project team early to develop key partnerships and collaboratively plan and apply an integrated approach to emergency planning and response

“QFES has listened to these learnings to ensure our organisation is well-integrated with other emergency response agencies, and is highly trained and well-resourced to support public safety during the Games.

“With the Commonwealth Games just over two weeks’ away, Queenslanders should feel confident that just like the athletes who will take part, QFES will deliver a winning performance through meticulous planning and hard work,” Mr Crawford said.

ENDS

MEDIA 0412 393 909