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].