Council support for Rural Fire Brigades and LifeFlight

Fraser Coast Regional Council will provide $290,000 to the Rural Fire Brigades and LifeFlight to assist them in continuing to provide vital emergency services to the local community.

Mayor George Seymour said both organisations had a crucial role in safeguarding Fraser Coast residents, and the Council was providing a financial contribution to support them using funds collected from the Disaster Management Levy.

“The Rural Fire Brigades provide invaluable fire prevention and mitigation activities such as hazard reduction burns and community education, in addition to responding to bushfires and other emergency incidents,” he said.

“The brigades are powered by volunteers and rely on financial contributions from Council and other sponsors to maintain their operations and provide effective emergency services.

“LifeFlight is a lifeline in emergency situations, offering rapid-response aeromedical services that can be the difference between life and death.

“They are crucial in rural and regional areas, delivering advanced medical care and facilitating emergency evacuations during disaster events.

“The safety and well-being of our community is a top priority, and these funds from Council will help ensure that the Rural Fire Brigades and LifeFlight have the resources they need to respond swiftly and effectively in emergencies.

“Council’s support reflects our deep appreciation and gratitude for the tireless work of both organisations in keeping our community safe.”

At its meeting today, Council resolved to allocate $260,000 in funding for the 2024/25 financial year to the Queensland Fire Department on behalf of the 28 Rural Fire Brigades operating in the Fraser Coast region.

An additional $30,000 in funding was also approved for LifeFlight for the 2024/25 financial year.

LifeFlight Wide-Bay Burnett Regional Advisory Committee chair Neil McPhillips said:

“LifeFlight is proud to help communities in the Fraser Coast region and beyond. We’re extremely grateful for the support of the Fraser Coast Regional Council for LifeFlight’s services.”

LifeFlight aeromedical crews airlifted over 300 people in the Fraser Coast region in the past financial year. The rescue chopper crews were tasked with 57 primary missions, which included ocean-based search and rescues, motor vehicle accidents and jellyfish stings on K’gari.