Rural
13 October, 2024
Sparking support for rural brigades
Rural fire brigades across Somerset will benefit in over $177,000, contributed to the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) by Somerset Council under a new finance system.
Somerset Councillor and Rural Fire Local Area Finance Committee representative, Brett Freese, said Council is working to support the rural brigades under a new system, to help the Somerset community stay protected.
“We understand that the State Government’s QFD has introduced a new system for managing rural fi re funding. We are working with this system to support our local rural fi re brigades,” he said.
“There is a further process by which our contribution of $177,207.71 is credited by QFD to different brigades and groups, consistent with the approved Local Area Finance Committee budget.
“While these are not our changes, we are happy to work within the new QFD finance system. Everyone knows the role of volunteer rural fire brigades in the community is critical and must be supported.”
Cr Freese said volunteer rural fire brigades play a vital role whenever the region is threatened by fire, floods and other emergencies.