- Queenslanders are encouraged to celebrate the unwavering commitment of the state’s Rural Fire Service officers, staff and volunteers this RFS Week, from Sunday 30 July to Saturday 5 August
- RFS volunteers will be formally recognised for their special contribution at regional award ceremonies across the state
- RFS members have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming bushfire season and the community can support their local brigade by ensuring their properties are bushfire prepared
Whether it’s their work fighting fires or responding to natural disasters, there’s plenty of reasons to celebrate Queensland’s Rural Fire Service (RFS) members, and RFS Week is the perfect opportunity.
The Palaszczuk Government has delivered successive record Rural Fire Service budgets, culminating in this year’s record $101 million investment – a 174% increase since 2015.
The government is delivering more equipment, more vehicles and more new and upgraded facilities, as well as 114 additional staff to support frontline volunteers in the Rural Fire Service.
Further, as announced last year, the RFS will soon be established as a separate entity, with its own dedicated budget and Chief Officer, within a proposed Queensland Fire Department.
Now in its 11th year, the state-wide celebration from July 30 to August 5 shines a spotlight on the more than 26,000 RFS volunteers who dedicate countless hours to keeping Queensland safe.
To celebrate, events are being held across the state and volunteers who have demonstrated a special contribution to the RFS will be recognised at a suite of locally held award ceremonies.
Each year, Queensland relies on thousands of RFS personnel not only on the frontline, but for hazard mitigation, operational support, deployments, evacuations, and community education.
Bushfire season is just around the corner and it’s an extremely busy time for RFS members, who have been conducting hazard reduction burns alongside partner agencies and local landholders to prepare the community.
Queenslanders are encouraged to go one step further in thanking our hardworking volunteers this RFS Week by acting now to ensure their bushfire preparation is on track.
Quotes attributable to Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan:
“The hard work of our RFS members can’t be overstated, already this year they have deployed to south-west Queensland to assist with firefighting efforts and travelled to Canada to help fight devastating wildfires,” he said.
“At the same time, they have kept their own communities safe and prepared them for the upcoming season through a variety of mitigation efforts.
“RFS members perform their work not for recognition or reward, but because they are dedicated to their communities, often sacrificing time away from their jobs and loved ones.
“I encourage all Queenslanders to get behind their local brigade and show their support for these incredible people who help our communities in so many ways.”
Quotes attributable to QFES Commissioner Greg Leach:
“I want to thank each one of the more than 26,000 volunteers spread across 1400 brigades who commit their time and skills to protecting the community,” he said.
“The RFS is a diverse organisation that consists not only of volunteers for frontline operations, but volunteer community educators and support staff from all corners of the state and all walks of life.
“As another bushfire season approaches, communities across Queensland take comfort in knowing our rural firefighters continue to share their knowledge and skills to ensure we’re prepared should a bushfire strike.”
Quotes attributable to RFS Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Hollier:
“During RFS Week, I will have the pleasure of presenting volunteer awards at locally held ceremonies in front of family, friends and brigade members,” he said.
“It’s a busy time of year for our RFS volunteers who have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming bushfire season and they deserve our gratitude.
“A bushfire can strike at any time, so go one step further in thanking our volunteers this RFS Week by supporting them ahead of bushfire season and preparing your own property and creating a Bushfire Survival Plan.
