Help is finally on the way for rural firies, SES and Volunteer Marine Rescue volunteers following the release of an independent review into emergency services.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has welcomed the review ahead of cyclone season.
“For years I have been echoing the calls of rural firies, VMR, and SES volunteers for more support, more funding, and better communications,” he said.
“They have been operating on sausage sizzle and raffle budgets, spending their weekends raising money to save lives.
“The Emergency Management Levy (EML) was originally designed to fund important and necessary services for Queenslanders, but it’s been a complete failure.
“The Levy was established in 2014 to ensure a more sustainable funding base for emergency services, but it fast became the primary source of funding for the QFES department.
“Despite seeing a funding increase of 28% from $391 million to $536 million between 2013-14 to 2018-19 the combined marine rescue only saw 1.6% of the total revenue collected from the EML.
“This recent review has been scathing, highlighting the deficiencies of the current system and resulting in a complete overhaul.
“I cannot thank our local SES and VMR volunteers, and RFS members who fought alongside me for years to get a fair share of resources.
“Common-sense has finally prevailed thanks to people power, perseverance, and the dedication of our emergency service personnel.”
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said he looks forward to working with the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services to ensure more resources and funding are delivered for the Burnett.
“I have been writing to Minister Ryan about several RFS appliance, chain of command, and communication issues we’re experiencing around the region, and I am hopeful this review might have the answers.”
Mr Bennett tabled a Question for Minister Ryan this week around responding to house fires.
Can the Minister clarify the operational arrangements between rural and urban fire brigades in relation to first responding to structural (house) fires? In remote Queensland communities, the presence of rural fire brigades may allow a faster response time then waiting for urban brigades from neighbouring communities.
Minister Ryan must provide a written answer to the parliament within 30 calendar days.
INDEPENDENT REVIEW FAST FACTS
Once the reforms are fully implemented, deliverables include:
- Increase to the SES annual baseline budget to approximately $60 million for more staff and more resources, including safety equipment, vehicles and vessels
- Establishment of MRQ with an annual baseline budget of approximately $27 million for frontline support, resources, vessels and equipment, and sustainable single integrated marine rescue service for Queensland
- Resourcing boost to the RFS of more than 100 extra FTE positions and additional funding for new appliances, facilities, and equipment
- Additional 143 firefighter positions for the FRS; additional funding and 30 extra FTE positions for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) to support further disaster preparedness programs and initiatives
- Annual funding of approximately $20 million for disaster management functions.
ENDS.
26/10/2022