A series of meetings will be held with Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers across the state in coming weeks as part of a special Ministerial review into the RFS.
Police and Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey said a Review Committee, chaired by the Member for Mirani Ted Malone, would use the meetings to gather important information towards making recommendations on revitalising the RFS.
“These meetings will give volunteers the opportunity to provide input into the future structure, function, leadership and funding of the RFS,” Mr Dempsey said.
“Our volunteers will no doubt have extremely valuable information which will help to deliver a world class Rural Fire Service while providing greater efficiency, less red tape and more autonomy to volunteers.”
Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett encourages local RFS volunteers to attend these meetings which are being held in various locations to allow as many volunteers as possible to have input into the review. The review is scheduled to be completed by the end of February, 2013.
The regions which will hold meetings include:
South East Corner Region
Toowoomba: Monday 22nd October
Ipswich: Tuesday 23rd October
Caboolture: Wednesday 24th October
Maryborough: Thursday 25th October
Central/Northern Regions
Sarina: Wednesday 7th November
Bowen: Thursday 8th November
Central Region
Barcaldine: Tuesday 20th November
Emerald: Wednesday 21st November
Gracemere: Thursday 22nd November
South West Region
Roma: Monday 3rd December
Far Northern Region
Tablelands: Tuesday 4th December
Northern Region
Charters Towers: Wednesday 5th December
Cloncurry: Thursday 6th December
Mr Malone is also consulting with other interest groups during a forum to be held at the Emergency Services Complex at Kedron in December.
“I am sure that Local Government, agricultural representative bodies, State Government departments and other stakeholders will provide significant feedback on how they want to work with the Rural Fire Service into the future,” Mr Bennett said.
Anyone who cannot attend a meeting can provide a submission to Mr Malone by the 21st December at [email protected].