QUEENSLANDERS will be better protected in the event of a chemical or biosecurity incident as the Queensland Government continues the roll out of state-of-the-art decontamination units across the state.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jo-Ann Miller said the new units, first used in Brisbane during G20, could be used for mass decontamination and assist during urban search and rescue efforts as well as major traffic crashes.
“When someone is either inadvertently or deliberately exposed to a hazardous material like a gas, corrosive liquid or suspicious powder, to ensure they don’t suffer any adverse health effects, every minute counts,” Ms Miller said.
“These decontamination units can be rapidly deployed to an incident, allowing affected people to move through intensive decontamination showers within two minutes of it arriving at the scene.”
State Member for Bulimba, Di Farmer MP said the units were designed locally by specialist Queensland Fire and Emergency Services scientific officers based at Cannon Hill.
Ms Miller said the units were designed and built by Queenslanders, for Queenslanders.
“They are a government investment of $83,000 for each community they’re rolled out to and there has already been significant interest in adopting the design from emergency services interstate and New Zealand,” she said.
QFES scientific branch director Dr Michael Logan said the units were fully self-contained, capable of generating their own power and carrying their own water.
“The trailers don’t just assist QFES officers, they add value to the whole of government emergency response capability,” Dr Logan said.
“They can be configured for long-duration incidents to assist police, firefighters and other emergency workers who may be required to spend many hours on site.
“For example, they are perfectly suited for police who may spend many hours at the scene of a crime or a major traffic crash because they provide basic services such as running water and toilet facilities, meaning officers can stay on site longer and get their job done faster.
“As well, the units can be used to compliment a forward command facility during natural disasters such as bushfires and floods.”
Ms Miller said three new units would be rolled out across regional Queensland.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring all Queensland communities have first class emergency equipment available to keep locals safe,” she said.
“Roma, Mount Isa and Maryborough will each be getting a decontamination trailer to assist local emergency crews respond to major incidents in the community.
“This is in addition to the units already positioned in Cairns, Townsville, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Brisbane, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Mackay and Gladstone.”
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