- Crisafulli Government delivers on key election commitment with a new truck for Guanaba Rural Fire Brigade.
- $340,000 dual cab medium attack appliance a boost for Guanaba RFB's firefighting capabilities ahead of higher risk bushfire period.
- The truck features a high-pressure pump capacity and enhanced safety features.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered on a key election commitment with a new fire truck to the Guanaba Rural Fire Brigade on the Gold Coast.
Under Labor's decade of decline, Queensland's rural fire volunteers were neglected and left without the equipment and support they needed, with volunteer numbers collapsing by more than 7,800 members.
The Crisafulli Government is re-empowering the sector and backing our volunteers by increasing rural fire appliance delivery by more than 100 per cent.
The delivery coincides with National Volunteer Week, recognising the vital role Rural Fire Service volunteers play in protecting our communities and ensuring safety where Queenslanders live.
The Isuzu medium attack appliance is equipped with a dual cab, high-pressure pump capacity and enhanced crew safety features that will provide a significant boost to the Guanaba brigade's firefighting capabilities ahead of the state's higher risk bushfire period.
The $340,000 vehicle is operational and ready to respond to incidents and conduct mitigation activities in the local area and across the wider Gold Coast region.
Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy new vehicle demonstrated the Crisafulli Government's commitment to backing frontline rural fire volunteers with the resources they need to keep Queensland communities safe.
"We are delivering on our commitment to support Rural Fire Service volunteers, and this new appliance for the Guanaba Rural Fire Brigade is another example of our Government backing the people who protect our communities," Minister Leahy said.
"This new truck will strengthen Guanaba's capability on the fireground and ensure our volunteers are better equipped to protect lives, homes and properties when it matters most.
"Queenslanders know bushfire seasons can be unpredictable and challenging, which is why we are making sure our Rual Fire Brigades have the support and resources they need to respond with confidence now and into the future."
Member for Theodore Mark Boothman said the delivery of the new truck was the result of a clear election commitment to back local Rural Fire Service volunteers with the equipment they need.
"Our rural fire volunteers at Guanaba do an incredible job protecting our local families and properties, and they deserve modern equipment that supports them on the fireground," Mr Boothman said.
"For too long under Labor, volunteers were neglected and left without the equipment they needed. This new truck clearly demonstrates the Crisafulli Government's commitment to backing our Rural Fire Service with real delivery."
Queensland Fire Department Acting Commissioner John Cawcutt said the delivery of the truck comes at the perfect time, with the higher risk bushfire period just a few short months away.
"Rural Fire Service Queensland and the wider Queensland Fire Department remain steadfast in our work with volunteer firefighters, partner agencies and private landowners to undertake bushfire mitigation and prepare Queensland communities for the upcoming higher risk bushfire period," A/Commissioner Cawcutt said.
"This vehicle ensures the Guanaba Rural Fire Brigade can continue to provide first-class operational support to their community and wider southeast Queensland communities as needed throughout that period and beyond."
Rural Fire Service Queensland Chief Officer Kaylene Jones commended the dedication of the Guanaba brigade in familiarising themselves with their newest truck.
"Guanaba Rural Fire Brigade members are pillars of the community they represent, and they have shown the kind of commitment they are so well-known for by putting in the training and making sure they are familiar with the advanced features of this new vehicle," Chief Officer Jones said.
"These volunteers go above and beyond to represent and support their community as well as defend lives and property, and we are very happy to see them receive a new truck that will enhance their safety and capability to deliver exceptional service."
Minister for Fire Ann Leahy with Member for Theodore Mark Boothman handed over the new Guanaba RFB appliance at the South Coast Group Office on Wednesday 20 May during National Volunteers Week.
