There is no urban fire service coverage in rural, semi-rural and some urban fringe areas of Queensland. The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is the volunteer side of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), and provides fire services to 93% of Queensland. The RFS is made up of approximately 36,000 volunteers, including 2400 Fire Wardens, who make up approximately 1500 rural fire brigades.

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Although there is a general perception that the main role of RFS volunteers is active firefighting, there is much more to being a member of a Rural Fire Brigade.

Members of the RFS and your local rural fire brigade provide a range of services to help keep Queensland communities safe.

Rural Fire Brigades respond to the outbreak of fires within their local area and in surrounding areas in support of other rural fire brigades and emergency service workers.

Rural Fire Brigades, in conjunction with RFS staff, undertake a range of planning and preparation activities throughout the year to ensure communities are well prepared for the fire season. One of these activities is hazard reduction burns. Hazard reduction burns use fire to reduce excess vegetation and minimise the potential for bushfires to get out of control.

There is an increasing awareness that timely and effective fire prevention and education saves lives and property. Rural Fire Brigade members deliver a range of community education programs within their communities. The local knowledge held by members of the brigades, along with their knowledge of fire behaviour and prevention, ensure the community gets information and education specific to their circumstances.

The RFS controls the use of fire by not allowing fires to be lit without a specific permit. Fire Wardens and authorised fire officers manage the permit to light fire system. A permit to light fire is required for any fire that exceeds two metres in any direction and can be acquired free of charge from a fire warden.

Mackay Phone: 4965 6641