SOMERSET Regional Council has contributed more than $177,000 to the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) for the benefit of rural fire brigades across Somerset.

Somerset Councillor and Rural Fire Local Area Finance Committee representative, Brett Freese, said the funds would help the Somerset community stay protected.

“We understand that the State Government’s Queensland Fire Department has introduced a new system for managing rural fire funding. We are working with this system to support our local rural fire brigades, ensuring they have the resources they need to protect our community,” Cr Freese said.

“These groups are vital to rural communities like ours who experience natural disasters all too often. It’s important that they are properly equipped and manned, and able to attract volunteer firefighters to sign up.

“There is a further process by which our contribution of $177,207.71 is credited by QFD to different brigades and groups, consistent with the approved Local Area Finance Committee budget.

“While these are not our changes, we are happy to work within the State Government’s new QFD finance system. Everyone – particularly QFD - knows that the role of volunteer rural fire brigades in the community is critical and must be supported.”

Cr Freese said Somerset volunteer rural fire brigades play a vital role whenever our region is threatened by fire, floods and other emergencies.

“Rural fire brigades deserve the strong ongoing support from Council and the community and as a Council we are proud to do that,” he said.