General News
14 July, 2026
Communications upgrade for State’s Rural Fire Service
The State Government is delivering critical satellite communication technology upgrades to Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) vehicles across the State, fulfilling a key election commitment.
More than 400 RFSQ brigades across Queensland will receive the technology as part of the Government’s $5 million election commitment.
This project will equip frontline response vehicles with enhanced satellite communications, improving connectivity for volunteer firefighters as they protect Queensland communities.
The Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy said the technology was empowering Queensland’s volunteer firefighters with the peace of mind that they can respond to their communities safely and effectively.
“Queensland is the most disaster-prone and decentralised state in the nation, and reliable connectivity in remote areas is essential to protecting lives and property,” she said.
“We’re delivering on our election commitment to restore safety for Queenslanders by strengthening frontline capability and ensuring our volunteer firefighters stay connected when it matters most.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our communities, and this investment means they can respond with confidence, knowing they have the reliable support they need to do their job safely and effectively.”
Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) Chief Officer Kaylene Jones said the fleet connectivity project formed part of the service’s wider commitment to enhancing fleet capabilities.
“Investing in the safety and effective service delivery for our volunteers remains the highest priority for RFSQ, and this project is a testament to that,” Chief Officer Jones said.
“The network will provide reliable connectivity for our people and our vehicles in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable or unreliable.
“It ensures our crews can access time-critical information and maintain connectivity and communications while responding to incidents in very challenging environments.
“This project comes at a very important time, with what is expected to be a challenging higher risk bushfire period in the months ahead.”
