Rural Fire Service brigades in the Brisbane region celebrated the official opening of the new Lamb Island Rural Fire Station and the handover of two new vehicles today.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the new station cost $375,000 and the Lamb Island Rural Fire Brigade (RFB) and Russell Island RFB will also receive new appliances.
“The new facility was completed in October last year and has already proven its value as a hub for distributing drinking water when main water supplies on the bay islands were damaged and shut down for three days last year,” Mr Crawford said.
“This station will provide safe storage for emergency response appliances and give the rural fire service volunteers a base to conduct important operational training and tasks.”
Member for Redlands Kim Richards said the Queensland Ambulance Services (QAS), State Emergency Services and Energex would also use the station to house vehicles and equipment.
“This will make it a multi-agency facility that will improve responses for all emergency incidents in the region,” she said.
The station was funded from a range of sources, including the Rural Fire Levy, a QFES RFS station construction grant and contributions from the Redland City Council, Queensland Ambulance Service, the Community Gambling Benefit Fund and Energex.
Both the Lamb Island and Russell Island RFBs received new $200,000 firefighting trucks, which have been in operation since October 2018.
QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she was pleased to see the new appliances in service for Moreton Bay island brigades.
“These new appliances were provided through the Rural Fire Service appliance replacement program,” Ms Carroll said.
“They will enable these brigades to respond to grass and bushfires, planned hazard reduction burns and motor vehicle fires.
“Anything we can do to support and further empower our volunteers to protect their communities is a major benefit for not only QFES, but local residents with homes, properties and businesses.”
Lamb Island RFB has 37 members, while neighbouring Russell Island RFB has 46 members.
