May 28, 2018
Rural firefighters and State Emergency Services volunteers gathered in Nanango’s Pioneer Park on Saturday morning to enjoy a family day with friends and supporters.
The morning was an opportunity for the public to thank the volunteers for all their hard work around the Nanango region, as well as help mark Volunteers Week.
Fire trucks and SES vehicles were in attendance for visitors to admire, as well as the Nanango SES flood boat.
Rural brigades represented came from Wattle Camp, Taromeo, East Nanango, Sandy Ridges, Maidenwell, Booie Rise and South Nanango.
Volunteer Community Educators (VCEs) from various brigades manned stalls handing out fire-awareness material.
And, of course, there was a sausage sizzle to enjoy.
The relaxing family day was organised by East Nanango Rural Fire Service who have been very active doing community awareness activities during Volunteers Week, including manning a stall at Nanango SupaIGA.
East Nanango First Officer Brenden Whitworth said he especially wanted to thank Nanango SupaIGA and Nanango Gas Supplies for sponsoring the morning.
The brigade was also recently presented with a life-saving defibrillator to add to their equipment, courtesy of the Kingaroy Rotary Club.
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There was also some good news delivered by the State Government for rural firies on Saturday.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) will be installed on all new Rural Fire Service vehicles from July.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the life-saving technology would be fitted as part of a QFES capital funding program.
“This initiative will result in about 50 new RFS vehicles being fitted with AEDs each year, at an annual cost of about $132,000,” Mr Crawford said.
Mr Crawford said the AEDs would be vital for RFS brigades who were often the first responders to incidents in rural and regional areas.
“There will be programs in place to train staff in first aid and maintenance of the equipment,” he said.
“The device will greatly enhance the safety of not only QFES staff and volunteers, but also members of the public.”
QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said there were more than 120 RFS vehicles across the state already fitted with defibrillators.
“For many years AEDs have been installed in various brigades’ RFS trucks through grants, additional funding and community group funding including the Red Cross and Rotary Australia,” Ms Carroll said.
“The AEDs will equip those on the front line protecting Queensland communities for the long-term future, particularly brigades in remote areas where medical assistance could be some distance away.
“While they may never have to use it, it’s reassuring for staff and volunteers to know they have the equipment on hand to save a life.”
