If a picture paints a thousand words, then Queensland Fire and Emergency Services is doing a lot of talking during 2019 NAIDOC week.
Two new appliances – a Type 3 Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) appliance and a Rural Fire Service (RFS) heavy attack 4x4 water tanker prototype – will proudly display the 2019 NAIDOC Week poster when they are officially handed over at Roma Street Fire and Rescue Station today.
Minister for Police, Minister for Corrective Services and Acting Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said the new appliances would help spread the 2019 NAIDOC Week theme of Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let's work together for a shared future.
"For many years, QFES has been working with Indigenous communities around the state towards a shared future of a more capable and connected Queensland," Mr Ryan said.
"It is fitting that this commitment be represented on two of their fleet – one at Roma Street Fire and Rescue Station and one RFS water pumper soon to travel around the state."
The FRS appliance cost $800,000 plus GST and the RFS water tanker cost $409 000. The two appliances are part of QFES' ongoing commitment to its fleet.
QFES Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing said the artwork on the trucks reflected QFES' ongoing commitment to a diverse workforce that accurately reflects the communities in which they serve.
"We are proud to spread the NAIDOC Week message as a show of our respect and commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities," Mr Wassing said.
"It is important to connect with and reflect the communities we work with and this is a small way we can do this.
"Particularly with the RFS water tanker prototype travelling to rural and regional Queensland, I hope the Indigenous communities who see the artwork on the truck will feel a connection to the service and know that QFES is part of their community."
