Tuesday 16th started early for the 8 Samford Rural Brigade members who travelled into Parliament for Yellow Ribbon Day.
Samford designs, funds and builds their own fire trucks to meet their local community defence needs. This not only gives great community defence outcomes but frees up state funded resources for other brigades across the state.
This is another example of how local communities are reflected in the local brigade and was a real eye opener for many MP’s.
The evening saw Parliamentary Friends of Rural Fire Brigades, with a record number of MP’s attending to hear from the Volunteer of the Year, David Beil, Doomadgee RFB and Young Volunteer of the Year, Isaac Brailsford, North Stradbroke Island RFB.
The stories from both of these brigade members were truly inspiring.
Minister for Fire and Volunteers Ann Leahy spoke as did the Chair of the Inquiry into Volunteering, James Lister, member for Southern Downs.
With many 1st and Group Officers attending, MP’s received an honest and unfiltered understanding of what challenges confront and opportunities exist to enhance brigades and the communities that they defend.
The RFBAQ would like to thank the parliamentary sponsors, Stephen Bennett, Member for Burnett, Shane Knuth, Member for Hill and Mark Ryan, Member for Morayfield.
The RFBAQ would also like to thank QuikCorp Fire Engineering for providing the drinks for the very successful evening.