Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News. Despite a career spent as a schoolteacher and principal, Col said he has been working on fires ...

RFSQ’s 26,000 brigade members are responsible for fighting fires across 93 per cent of the state. In comparison, the NSW rural fire service boasts 70,000 volunteers.

Queensland’s ability to fight fires has come under scrutiny after it was reported that 10,000 volunteer firefighters across four years have quit the RFSQ (Rural Fire Service Queensland).

Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) South Eastern Regional Manager Tony Johnstone encouraged landholders to become part of Operation Cool Burn and contribute to reducing fire risk across the region.