Minister’s message for the upcoming 2026 Smoke Signals magazine

As we begin a new year, I want to start by saying thank you.

To every rural fire volunteer across Queensland – whether you’ve been on a truck, back at the station, or in an incident management team - the dedication you have shown and continue to show in support of your communities does not go unnoticed.

Many of our communities are already facing tough circumstances, with an early start to our major storm season hitting regional communities hard. But once again you’ve been there on the ground, ready to answer the call.

So once again, thank you.

The beginning of a new year is also a chance to recognise how far we’ve come, and to be frank about the work still needing to be done.

In the last twelve months we’ve provided the largest RFSQ budget in Queensland’s history, the funding needed for the firefighters to get support for a cancer diagnosis through the presumptive legislation, and amending legislation to further empower Brigades to help their communities during disasters.

But we know there is still much more to do.

The Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering highlighted many issues that need to be addressed to ensure we keep volunteers in brigades and communities safe.

The Government provided its response to the Inquiry’s report in December, and in it we reaffirmed our commitment to building a strong culture in the RFSQ and enhancing the volunteer experience for all rural fire volunteers.

I know that staff are working hard to address many of these issues alongside brigades, and I also particularly want to acknowledge the work of the RFBAQ and its representatives across the state for their collaboration and advocacy.

We are also bringing back respect to the role that volunteers play, because they are the backbone of our communities and deserve to be valued, supported and heard.

Change doesn’t happen overnight - it takes time, listening, steady action, and common purpose.

And I’m confident that together we can make this change happen, build a stronger and more supportive future for our volunteers, and ultimately keep Queenslanders safer where they live.

Ann Leahy MP

Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers