Join The Team
Volunteering in the RFS
You Can!... be part of the Rural Fire ServiceDo you want to…
Save Lives?
Learn News Skills?
Make New Friends?
Be Part of a Team?The Rural Fire Service (RFS) needs all types of people, with a wide range of skills, to keep brigades running and communities safe. The RFS is spread across 93% of Queensland and has approximately 1500 rural fire brigades, made up of approximately 34 000 volunteers.
The purpose of rural fire brigades is to operate in areas not covered by Queensland Fire and Rescue Service’s urban (town) service.
You Can!...learn news skillsBeing part of the RFS offers fantastic opportunities for self development. Members of rural brigades receive training and skills that assist in all areas of life. Brigade members learn:
• Teamwork
• Incident management
• Leadership skills
• Fire behaviour
• Communication and more.
As a volunteer you can choose to undertake the training specific to your role, or you can continue to develop additional skills through the training offered by QFRS Rural Operations. To find our more about the training offered through the RFS click here.You Can!...meet great people and make new friendsAs members of the brigade you train and work together to protect your family, friends and homes. Through this many friendships are formed. Members of rural brigades come from all walks of life so being a volunteer is a great way to get to know people and build networks within your community.
You can!...help protect your communityMembers of the Rural Fire Service and your local rural fire brigade provide a range of services to help keep Queensland Communities safe.
Fighting Fires
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.
Fire Prevention
Rural Fire Brigades, in conjunction with Rural Operations 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.
Community Education
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.
Permits to Light Fire
In Queensland the Rural Fire Service controls the use of fire by not allowing fires to be lit without a specific permit. Rural Fire Service 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.
Deployments and assistance during disasters
Rural Fire Service volunteers are often sent on deployment to assist other states during fire disasters. Members are also called upon to assist other emergency service agencies during disasters such as floods and storms, including the recent widespread flooding across Queensland and the 2008 Gap storms.
You can!...do roles other than firefighting. One of the major misconceptions about joining the RFS is that you have to fight fires however there are many other roles you can do. These include:
• Community Education
• Administration
• Incident Management
• Communication
• Catering and more.
As a brigade member you hep your community, whether you are an active firefighter or undertaking another role, your contribution makes a difference. To find our more about the roles available in the RFS click here.The Rural Fire Service has a strong tradition of supporting and protecting communities while at the same time offering a range of opportunities to its members.
Membership and Application Process
Joining a Rural Fire Brigade
To become a member of a rural fire brigade you need to be at least 16 years of age. Members aged between 16 and 18 years of age are considered Registered Juniors and require their parents’ permission to join.
Contacting a Brigade
• If you are interested in joining a brigade however you are unsure of which brigade is closest to you, start by contacting the local Rural Operations Area Office - Ipswich Area Office on: 07 3381 7122.
• If you know the brigade you would like to join, contact the First Officer to discuss membership.
Criminal History Checks
1. All potential recruits over the age of 18 must undertake a Criminal History Check prior to being accepted as a volunteer. Registered Juniors must complete a Criminal History Check upon turning 18 years old.
2. When you approach the brigade to discuss joining, they will provide you with a Pre-Membership Check form and a Consent to a Criminal History Check form. You will need to complete these and provide them to the Area Office.
3. The Criminal History Check is completed by Queensland Police and if cleared, you will receive a letter advising you of this outcome. Once you have received this letter you can provide a copy to the brigade to proceed with your application.
Having a criminal history does not automatically exclude you from joining a brigade. Consideration will be given to the offence and the circumstances surrounding it prior to a final decision being made.Selection
Once you provide a copy of your cleared Criminal History Check letter to the First Officer or Secretary of the brigade, the brigade will organise a meeting to discuss your application and vote on your membership.
