Janaury 25, 2013
The Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland’s new Contact Centre was officially opened in Gympie this morning.
Assistant Minister for Emergency Volunteers Ted Malone said the centre had already proven a valuable tool in helping raise money to support brigades and their volunteers.
“It is a tremendous centre that not only raises much needed funding for the service but also provides employment for nearly 50 people right here in Gympie,” Mr Malone said.
RFBAQ president Mike Garrahy said the Contact Centre was a positive move for rural brigades.
“This move will let the RFBAQ support the brigades more efficiently in our fundraising efforts for volunteer rural firefighters and brigades in Queensland,” Mr Garrahy said.
The RFBAQ runs five art unions per year, each aiming to raise $600,000, to assist rural fire brigades.
“Each week, the hardworking staff speak to around 24,000 Queenslanders seeking funding for the very service that protects 93 per cent of the State from threats of fire and other natural disasters,” Mr Malone said.
“And believe me, the 34,000 members of the Rural Fire Service are thankful for the RFBAQ’s support both financial and in kind.”
