SOMERSET Regional Council has contributed $269,435 to the newly re-badged Queensland Fire Department (QFD) for the period 1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024.

QFD was previously Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Local Disaster Management Group representative, Somerset Councillor Kylee Isidro, said the QFD funds were in addition to contributions to rural fire brigades in Somerset.

“Council agreed to consider a 13% increase in rural fire funding for 2024/2025 to $353,600 at its meeting held on 12 June 2024,” Cr Isidro said.

“We work with our partners in QFD to make sure that our firefighters and other emergency personnel have the resources they need to do the job.

“Somerset has increasingly become better prepared for disasters and a big part of this is knowing we have local volunteer and paid emergency services ready to protect the community.

“A portion of every rate notice bottom line goes to helping to manage emergency service costs for this reason.

"We are grateful for the support of emergency personnel and the great work they do in Somerset,” Cr Isidro said.