Queensland Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery Nikki Boyd (fourth from right) with QFD staff. Photo: Nikki Boyd Facebook.
The Queensland Government has consolidated several firefighting entities in the state into a single new Queensland Fire Department (QFD).
The QFD brings together the former Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR), Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ), corporate services and state operations into the new organisation.
It says, while the services provided by QFR and RFSQ to the community remain the same, the renewed focus of QFD will result in more people and better equipment for those services.
QFD will continue to play a vital role in the response to severe weather, with QFR firefighters continuing ‘swift water’, ‘vertical’, ‘confined space’ and other elements of technical rescue that are relied upon during natural disasters and other major incidents.
At the same time, the QFR will receive a significant funding boost and an additional 143 firefighter positions to enhance its multi-hazard response capabilities. RFSQ is undertaking a statewide recruitment campaign to fill an additional 114 newly created full-time positions in training, management and support roles to back more than 27,000 volunteers across Queensland communities.
A new Rural Fire Service Advisory Committee (RFSAC) has also been formed, comprising 10 volunteers from across the state as well as Acting Chief Officer Ben Millington, South Eastern Region Deputy Chief Officer Karen Hodges AFSM, South Western Assistant Chief Officer Wayne Waltisbuhl and Northern Area Manager Fiona Quirk.
Queensland Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery Nikki Boyd said the launch of QFD meant the same service remained with the added benefits of increased funding, more equipment, training and resourcing for both QFR and RFSQ.
“QFD will continue to work with local councils, other emergency response agencies, industry and other partners to prepare communities for fire threats through education and mitigation activities,” she said.
“With the next bushfire and severe weather seasons just around the corner, it’s vital Queensland has a strong, focussed QFD.
“Together, we’ll respond to future challenges and be prepared for the increasing impacts we are seeing as a result of population increase and climate change.”
QFD Commissioner Steve Smith said months of hard work, planning and engagement had gone into the transition from QFES to form the QFD.
“This has ensured minimal disruption to existing services while we reform into a department that has a greater focus on fire prevention, response and service to the community,” he said.
“Queensland Fire and Rescue and Rural Fire Service Queensland now continue as separate dedicated services under the one banner.
“We are boosting the number of frontline and support staff, with hundreds of new recruits coming through the QFR academy and more than 100 positions to be filled across RFSQ to support volunteers.
“This reform gives us the best possible platform to continue delivering exceptional services to all Queenslanders and prepare for future challenges.”
The QFD will be headquartered at a new location at Albion in Brisbane from 2025, where more than 500 state level executives and corporate staff will be based.
