Local rural fire funds to stay local

Fire Minister Nikki Boyd has reassured rural fire brigades that local funds and assets will stay local following legislative change currently being considered through a committee process.

The Minister met with the Commissioner and Chief Officer Rural Fire Service this morning who reassured the Minister that any money raised locally would stay local and local assets would stay local.

The legislation will improve accountability and transparency by ensuring that financial contributions are properly recorded and accounted for by brigades and asset management was in accordance with best practice.

Minister Boyd said the contribution from rural fire services volunteers is invaluable in ensuring the safety of our Queensland communities and thanked rural brigades for their efforts in fundraising to support local communities.

“The new legislation is about empowering volunteers but that also comes with responsibility,” the Minister said.

“The policy framework will make it clear that local assets like trucks and local funds will continue to solely benefit those local brigades and be accessed by local brigades for local purposes.

“There will also be transparency so brigades can see how local funds and local assets are being managed.

“Volunteers do such a great job in raising funds.

“It’s important the right settings are in place when Rural Fire Service Queensland is established as a separate entity in the new Queensland Fire Department with its own dedicated budget.

“We have increased funding for the rural fire service increase by 40% in the past financial year to more than $100 million.

“That’s funding new trucks and support vehicles, vital safety equipment like deluge systems, new and upgraded stations and more.

“Local fundraising will continue to be an important part of how local brigades work that’s why it’s important local funds remain available for local brigades.”