September 20, 2012
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington met with representatives of local rural fire brigades today to discuss their concerns in the wake of the recent State Budget.
Local firies had taken to social media last week to express their fears that operation staff were being cut back.
They also attended a meeting at the SES Shed in Kingaroy on Monday night.
Mrs Frecklington confirmed there would be no closure of any Rural Fire Service offices.
“I have had a very productive meeting this morning with representatives from our local rural firies,” she said.
“The main concern is that they wish to be consulted, and training continues.
“I have confirmed with the representatives that my door will always be open. I look forward to the outcome of the Ministerial review led by my collegue Mr Ted Malone.”
Police and Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey said today the State Government and the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland had agreed on initiatives to ensure rural volunteer firefighters were “empowered and equipped to protect their communities into the future”.
Representatives from the RFBAQ met with Mr Dempsey yesterday.
A media statement from the government said they had agreed that “efficiencies for Rural Fire would be achieved by the use of saving measures and a revised staffing level”.
“Under the agreed new model, there will be no closure of any Rural Fire Service area offices,” Mr Dempsey said.
“Unfortunately as a part of this process, there will be a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent positions but this will be limited to executive and administration areas.
“I stress though, that no adjustments to the rural operations structure will take place until after the fire season in March 2013.”
Mr Dempsey also announced that the Member for Mirani Ted Malone would head a special Ministerial review into the Rural Fire Service.
Mr Malone would be assisted in this endeavour by senior members of the rural and urban fire services.
“Ted Malone is well respected among the RFS and regional emergency services community and will lead a team of representatives from both arms of the fire service to investigate the future of the RFS in terms of structure, function, leadership and funding,” Mr Dempsey said.
“They will investigate a new model that brings more autonomy, efficiency and less red tape that has been tying up hardworking rural firefighters who just want to get on with the job.
“The review will ensure that co-operation between the RFS and urban crews is enhanced and that limiting the risks for staff and the community is paramount.
“This will also be an opportunity for Mr Malone and his team to boost cooperation between the RFS and the State Emergency Service at a local level.”
Mr Dempsey asked that the review of the RFS be completed by February 2013.
RFBAQ president Mike Garrahy said the restructure meant volunteer firefighters and the communities could be assured that the State Government would give 100 per cent support to brigades.
“The RFBAQ and Minister for Police and Community Safety are both united in maintaining all Rural Operations Area Offices across Queensland,” Mr Garrahy said.
“This allows Rural Fire Brigades to have support and certainty going into the worst bushfire season in more than 40 years.”
Mr Garrahy said that an earlier proposal to close area offices in Roma, Barcaldine/Emerald, Charters Towers/Cloncurry, Innisfail, and Maryborough would not go ahead.
These offices would remain appropriately staffed, and regional offices in Maryborough and Toowoomba would also remain open and staffed.
“The RFBAQ sees a bright future for the Rural Fire Service in Queensland and will work closely with Ted Malone on the immediate start of a full ministerial review into the Rural Fire Service,” Mr Garrahy said.
“The RFBAQ supports this ministerial initiative and believes that this puts Rural Fire Brigades on track for achieving a model that empowers Brigades to defend their communities not only from fire, but also from flood and cyclone.”
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