INQ241

That an operational organisation be established comprising of three streams – a. urban fire service; b. rural fire service; and c. the state emergency service. Each of the three organisations will be led by a Deputy Chief Officer, reporting to a Chief Officer.

That a separate area of responsibility be established to provide independent oversight and monitor disaster readiness across all hazards.

That a Ministerial Advisory Council be established to inform the Minister of matters relating to Rural Fire Service and SES volunteers.

That corporate support, such as administration and finance, to volunteer services be shared to enable a closer working relationship between the services.

That, wherever possible, combined training take place between volunteers across a wide range of volunteer organisations.

That a strong emphasis be placed on the establishment and recruitment of PCYC emergency cadets.

That the Rural Operations division currently sitting within the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service become an autonomous unit called Rural Fire Service Queensland and be led by a Deputy Chief Officer. Structure and Leadership of the Rural Fire Service

That Rural Fire Service Queensland District offices report directly to the Deputy Chief Officer.

That Rural Fire Service Queensland District offices remain at least at their current number of 14, with consideration given by the Rural Fire Service Queensland to expanding the number of District offices by opening an office in the South Burnett, considering a new office in the southern Central

That staffing at Rural Fire Service Queensland District offices remain at current levels within establishment and, if needed, base staffing levels be increased.

That Rural Fire Service Queensland consider service delivery needs with a view to establishing boundary/ staff/budget changes according to State standards.

That there be three (3) RFSQ regions in Queensland - North, Central and South-East.

That the position of Regional Manager Rural Operations be re-designated to Regional Co-ordinator in the North, Central and South-East regions to emphasise the supporting role the position will take.

That the number of Bushfire Safety Officer positions be, over time, increased so that one BSO operates out of each District office.

That District offices be located in areas that enhance ease of access for out of town volunteers and the general public and also provide suitable parking, onsite storage and be suitable for operational use.

That a Rural Fire Research and Investigation Team be established to coordinate and communicate fire research knowledge, including fire behaviour as well as coordinate fire investigations and complaints for the state.

That a Mitigation Officer position be created to assist the District offices and District Fire Management Groups (refer to Recommendations 40 to 46) in developing their fire management plans and to ensure mitigation work is being conducted.

That a mobile training program be established for areas with identified above average fire risk to train in fire behaviour and Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System principles across land tenures.

That RFSQ retain responsibility for Air Operations and re-evaluate avenues for cost recovery when aircraft are used by other agencies. The coordination of incendiary tasking to support mitigation should sit with the RFSQ in coordination with other agencies

That the RFSQ central office undertake a review of Firecom procedures in relation to Rural Fire Service callouts.

That Rural Fire Service Queensland designate a position of Lands Procurement Officer to support volunteers by project managing the acquisition of land for Brigade sheds and their construction where required.

That all land on which rural fire brigade sheds are located be re-evaluated to formalise enforceable lease agreements.

That all employees of Rural Fire Service Queensland MUST demonstrate a background in, knowledge or experience of land management and volunteering.

That employee selection panels for field staff positions only comprise three members and include a Rural Fire Service Queensland representative, a Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland representative and one representative from the District Fire Management Group.

That Rural Fire Service Queensland recognise training and experience in rural fire Brigades as equal to experience gained in other rural fire services when considering candidates for employment.

That all volunteer training conducted by the Rural Fire Service Queensland will be relevant to employment levels within the Rural Fire Service Queensland.

That in recognition of their commitment to the community volunteers employed by the State Government should be released to assist as volunteers for up to five (5) days per year in appropriately identified emergency operations.

That the Queensland Government liaise with the Federal Government with a view to securing incentives for employers that recognise loss of income and employee time for emergency operations.

That Rural Fire Service Queensland to have its own training support coordinators who, in conjunction with external Registered Training Organisations, co-ordinate the training curriculum throughout Queensland.

That Rural Fire Service Queensland utilise external Registered Training Organisations for the training of volunteers and other stakeholders.

That the requirement for Primary Producer Brigade members to undertake a Firefighter Minimum Skills course be removed and replaced with a ‘Primary Producer Brigade Induction’ course.

That the current Primary Producer Brigade manual be withdrawn and a working group comprising Rural Fire Service Queensland staff, Rural Fire Brigade Association of Queensland representatives and Primary Producer Brigade volunteers and as a priority produce a new, simpler and less bureaucratic boo

That Rural Fire Service Queensland work with the State Emergency Service, Surf Life Saving Queensland and other volunteer organisations to develop training programs which can be recognised by all organisations (E.G. chainsaw training, Four-wheel drive training)

That the Department of Community Safety review Rural Fire Service Queensland and other volunteer organisation records and consider options to simplify recognition of training records and competencies, criminal history checks, equipment capacities and other background information for volunteers wh

That the founding principle of the Rural Fire Service, that Brigades are formed on the principle of neighbour helping neighbour to collectively manage fire events, remains on of the foundation of Rural Fire Service Queensland.

That to assist the Rural Fire Service Queensland and other agencies in managing wildfire risk, a planning system for wildfire management be established in legislation that complements the existing disaster management arrangements.

That the planning system is to have a two tiered structure comprising District Fire Management Groups and linking to the State Disaster Management Group.

That the first tier comprise at least one District Fire Management Group in each Rural Fire Service Queensland District. The District Fire Management Group will be chaired by a person with the necessary expertise and experience, nominated by the community and appointed by Government.

Membership of the District Fire Management Group is at the discretion of the Chair of the District Fire Management Group, however members must have the necessary expertise and experience for the role and membership should include where applicable, the District Inspector - Rural Fire Service Queen

That annual planning be undertaken at each level that addresses hazard actions across all disaster management phases (ie: prevention, preparation, response and recovery), with a focus on vegetation and land management.

That District Inspectors be responsible for consultation with Fire Wardens during the development of District fire management plans.

That wherever possible, for future appointments of Fire Wardens, where that Wardens’ district is totally covered a by Rural Fire Brigade, consideration should be given that the appointed Fire Warden is a Rural Brigade Member.

That the Rural Fire Service Queensland needs to provide greater emphasis and acknowledgement of the use of fire as a tool in sustainable land management.

At the next reprint of the ‘Permit to Light Fire’ book, the requirement to notify neighbours when applying for a permit is reinstated to properly reflect the requirement under the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990.

That Section 66 (2) of the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990 relating to the exemption for issuing of permits to burn in State Forests, National Parks and Reserves is withdrawn and Departments must work within the District Fire Management Plan.

That the electronic fire permit system used in the Mackay District be made available across the state for Fire Wardens who wish to use it.

That Rural Fire Service Queensland instigates a hazard mitigation operational period, (E.G. Operation Cold Burn), at suitable times each year as appropriate by area.

That on all land where fuel load creates a fire risk, the owner shall be responsible for the construction and maintenance of effective firebreaks.

That the provisions of the Vegetation Management Act 1999 should be clarified to ensure that effective and accessible firebreaks or fire control lines are established in order that assets can be protected.

That the extent of forest and plantation fuel load fire risk in South East Queensland requires a designated government resources fire team to manage this risk and proactively conduct fuel mitigation burning; and provide a wildfire response to government land.