Donation to strengthen bushfire communications and readiness
Following an unprecedented start to the bushfire season and to coincide with the Queensland Parliament’s Bushfire Relief Appeal, Suncorp Group's Insurance CEO Gary Dransfield has announced $20,000 donations to both the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and the NSW Rural Fire Service.
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Mr Dransfield said Suncorp Group is committed to supporting customers affected by severe weather events such as the bushfires which recently raged in parts of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.
“The communities impacted by the recent bushfires continue to demonstrate resilience and strength as they recover," Mr Dransfield said.
Suncorp Group CEO Insurance Gary Dransfield
We are proud to stand and support the communities impacted by these devastating events, and are thankful for the responders who help on the front-line.
“As primary providers of fire and emergency services, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and the NSW Rural Fire Service work tirelessly to protect the people, their properties and the surrounding environments during their time of need.”
Through this donation, Suncorp Group is reinforcing its ongoing commitment to community recovery, awareness programs and future emergency response efforts.
Welcoming the donation from Suncorp, Queensland Rural Fire and Emergency Services Acting Assistant Commissioner, Tony Johnstone said the money would be put to good use.
“Communicating with our communities when a bushfire is imminent or in active bushfire areas is a challenge and the funding provided will be used to purchase communications technology that enables contact with fire crews in remote areas,” Mr Johnstone said.
“This technology will enable remote crews to communicate out of range of standard phone connections, both between brigades and back to headquarters to then notify communities.
"This will help us better prepare our teams and the communities who may be impacted, but also keep our teams and communities safe."
Also welcoming the donation from Suncorp Group's GIO, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM said this funding will help with additional items, member welfare and training opportunities.
“Our highly-trained team work tirelessly to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events such as bushfires,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“It will extend the training and education opportunities available to our team and ensure they have the highest capability to respond appropriately, effectively and safely in times of emergency.”
Following the recent bushfires, Suncorp Group is continuing to work directly with individual customers to help support them as they rebuild their lives and properties.
This includes replacing pool and tank water used by customers to safely protect their properties from approaching bushfires free of charge.
“We are continuing to look for new and innovative ways to support our customers in safely protecting and recovering their homes following extreme weather events,” Mr Dransfield said.
