Queensland Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers will share in a $47.1 million funding boost announced by Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Craig Crawford today.
Mr Crawford said the funding, announced on Yellow Ribbon Day 2020, would assist the more than 30,000 RFS volunteers across 1,400 rural fire brigades in Queensland this bushfire season.
“Today I’m proudly announcing $47.1 million to support the ongoing work of our RFS,” he said.
“The 2019 bushfire season was unlike anything we’ve seen before, but thanks to our volunteer firies, we made it through even more resilient than before.
“The devastating fires across the state saw our RFS volunteers work tirelessly to protect Queenslanders.
“Not only were they fighting fires in their own communities but were deployed to other parts of Queensland and interstate to combat the wider bushfire threat.”
He urged all Queenslanders to show their support for Queensland’s hard-working RFS volunteers by wearing a yellow ribbon today.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner, Greg Leach also acknowledged the tireless work of RFS volunteers.
“From my first day as Commissioner in the midst of the 2019 bushfires, I have seen the amazing contribution that our RFS volunteers provide,” Mr Leach said.
“Day after day they always showed up, and in some cases never went home, giving up their own time to help others,” he said.
Mr Leach said as well as fighting fires, volunteers also conducted some of the state’s most crucial bushfire mitigation tasks to prepare Queensland.
“Becoming a volunteer RFS firefighter allows you to gain so many valuable skills, and anyone interested in joining should have a chat to their local brigade,” he said.
“It is a great way to meet new people, make new friends and learn new skills through a range of different roles.”
Yellow Ribbon Day is an initiative of the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland (RFBAQ). For more information on volunteering with the RFS go to www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au.
