April 22, 2013
The State Government today released the recommendations from the Malone review into the Rural Fire Service in Queensland.
Premier Campbell Newman said the review, conducted by the Assistant Minister for Emergency Volunteers Ted Malone, would result in greater support for volunteers at the local level and better co-ordination of the management of the State’s fire risk.
The report contains 91 recommendations regarding the structure, function, leadership and funding of the Rural Fire Service.
Some major findings include:
- Rural fire to be established as a separate entity, named the Rural Fire Service Queensland, reporting directly to a Deputy Commissioner
- A new focus on land management and mitigation at the local level
- Fire management groups in each rural fire district
- Retention of existing paid staff in support units and in district offices
- The reduction of red tape and bureaucracy
“Ted Malone and his team have proposed a new direction for rural fire services in Queensland and we would like to work with volunteers and stakeholders to ensure we have got it right,” Mr Newman said.
“While this work is ongoing, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Rural Operations division would be renamed Rural Fire Service Queensland and would report directly to a Deputy Commissioner.
“This, along with other recommendations, will give rural firefighters a much greater say in future operations.”
Police Minister Jack Dempsey said recommendations in the report which dealt with structural changes would be considered in the context of the review into Police and Emergency Services currently being conducted by Mr Michael Keelty.
“This will ensure that full consideration is given to how the rural fire service can best work with other emergency services and vice versa,” Mr Dempsey said.
“Once recommendations are reviewed and implemented I have no doubt Queensland will have the best structure in place to allow our 34,000 volunteers to get on with the job they signed up to do – and that’s protect their communities.”
Mr Malone thanked the rural fire service volunteers and staff who went out of their way to attend public meetings and provide written submissions to the review.
“I met with more than 1000 volunteers and staff and we received more than 240 written submissions to this review,” Mr Malone said.
“My recommendations are aimed at increasing local engagement and decision making at the local level and properly recognising the excellent work conducted by rural fire service volunteers and staff across 93 per cent of the State.
“I believe the recommendations will be well received by the rural fire service community and I look forward to making the rural fire service an organisation all Queenslanders can be proud of.”
- Download a copy of the Malone Review (3.7Mb PDF)
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