Labor’s election promise for extra firefighters in Highfields

More firefighters could be employed in Highfields if Labor is returned to government on Saturday. Here’s how many the suburb will get.

Four new firefighters would be employed at the Highfields fire station if the Labor Government is re-elected at Saturday’s state election.

Toowoomba North Labor candidate Megan O’Hara Sullivan said the four additional firefighters for Highfields would support a transition from an auxiliary station to a five-day permanent day shift station.

“Queensland’s multiskilled firefighters not only protect our state from emergencies and natural disasters but also assist interstate and overseas when called upon,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.

“Their dedicated support also prepares our communities for potential emergencies and natural disasters, with targeted operations like Operation Cool Burn.”

The Toowoomba expansion is part of an $86 million statewide investment that would see an extra 357 firefighters employed over the next five years.

Toowoomba South Labor candidate Susan Krause said as Queensland’s population grew and urban areas expanded, frontline services must keep pace.

“The 357 new firefighters will be in addition to the 100 firefighters and 12 communication officers brought into the service in the current term of government,” Ms Krause said.

“As Queenslanders we’re blessed to have these dedicated experts ready to help us, so Labor will make sure their numbers grow.”