The Palaszczuk Government is delivering on its election commitment to increase firefighter numbers across the state with the announcement of 29 new firefighter allocations today.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the frontline's newest additions would be stationed at communities hardest hit by bushfires.
"These increases in permanent firefighter numbers will ensure we have the required resourcing to support these growing local communities and the number of operations in their area," Mr Crawford said.
"This is part of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to continue providing fire and emergency services to Queensland communities in line with their risk profile.
"We made a commitment before the last election to deliver 100 new Fire and Rescue firefighters and we are on track to do just that.
"Ninety-one roles have now been allocated and the remaining nine roles will be allocated to identified stations by June."
Yeppoon Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) Station will move to a seven-day permanent shift model with the addition of five new firefighter positions.
Keppel MP Brittany Lauga said the increase was an investment in the safety of the community.
"Fire has had a devastating impact on our community in recent months and I want to thank firefighters who have put their lives on the line," Mrs Lauga said.
"While the road to recovery at Cobraball will be a long one, I'm sure this news will come as some reassurance that our frontline is as strong as it can be."
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui welcomed the announcement of four new firefighter positions at the Port Douglas FRS Station.
"These additions will bring to five the total number of full-time firefighters at the station, allowing it to expand to a five-day permanent day shift model with additional support from local Auxiliaries," she said.
"This station previously operated with one permanent station officer and auxiliary firefighters.
"We need to fortify ourselves against the impacts Mother Nature increasingly has on our economy, environment, and community.
"We do this through planning and resourcing and increasing firefighter numbers is a large part of that."
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Greg Leach said Auxiliary firefighters would continue to play an important role in their local communities.
"I would like to thank our Auxiliary firefighters who continue to serve these communities," Mr Leach said.
"Permanent staff will support these important on-call personnel in their ongoing contribution to the delivery of vital services to their community."
The allocated permanent roles are expected to be on shift in the identified communities no later than November 2020.
Minister Crawford also announced the following increases in firefighter numbers:
*Coolum Fire and Rescue station will transition from an Auxiliary station to a five-day permanent day shift station plus Auxiliary firefighters, which will see five permanent firefighter positions allocated.
*Airlie Beach Fire and Rescue station will upgrade from its current five-day permanent day shift model plus Auxiliary personnel to a seven-day permanent day shift model plus Auxiliary firefighters, with five extra permanent roles.
*Emerald Fire and Rescue station will transition from its current Station Officer plus Auxiliary firefighter model to a five-day permanent day shift model plus Auxiliaries, with an extra four permanent firefighter positions allocated.
*Kingaroy Fire and Rescue station will upgrade from its current Station Officer plus Auxiliary firefighter model to a five-day permanent day shift model plus Auxiliaries, with an extra four permanent firefighter positions allocated.
*Highfields Fire and Rescue station will transition from an Auxiliary station to a Station Officer plus Auxiliary firefighter model, with the addition of one permanent position.
*Dalby Fire and Rescue station will upgrade from an Auxiliary station to a Station Officer plus Auxiliary firefighter model, with the addition of one permanent position.
