Emergency Services

What Emergency Services Are Available on SMBI?

All of SMBI is well serviced by emergency services. This includes Ambulance, Rural Fire Service, Police, SES, Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue.

Not all that long ago there were no permanent Emergency Services on any of the Islands. Over time that has increased to the point where it is today, and these services continue to increase to meet the needs of the community.

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Karragarra Island

Police – Whilst there are no Police permanently stationed on Karragarra Island, should there be the need for a Police presence, Officers from Redland Bay are able to attend, along with additional vehicle support thanks to the use of a Police Barge.

Fire – Karragarra Island has a Rural Fire Brigade capacity located centrally on The Esplanade that is capable of responding to bushfires and other fires.

Ambulance – There is an Ambulance permanently stationed on Karragarra. Although there is no permanent Paramedic, there are First Responders and a Paramedic from Macleay, Russell, Kitty Kat or Redland Bay will attend when required. The helipad is located opposite the Rural Fire Brigade.

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Lamb Island

Police – Whilst there are no Police permanently stationed on Lamb Island, should there be the need for a Police presence, Officers from Redland Bay are able to attend, along with additional vehicle support thanks to the use of a Police Barge.

Fire – There is a Rural Fire Brigade located at the Lamb Island Rural Fire Station near the jetty and barge ramp that is capable of responding to bushfires and other fires.

Ambulance – There is an Ambulance permanently stationed on Lamb. Although there is no permanent Paramedic, there are First Responders and a Paramedic from Macleay, Russell, Kitty Kat or Redland Bay will attend when required. The helipad is located on the cricket oval next to the Pioneer Hall.

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Macleay Island

Police – Four Police Officers are permanently stationed at Macleay Island to service Macleay and the surrounding Islands. There is a Police Station located centrally in Pelican Street, near the Macleay Island State School. Should additional Police Officers be needed, they can arrive alongside any additional vehicles needed via the Police Barge.

Fire – Located centrally on High Central Road is the Rural Fire Brigade which is capable of responding to bushfires and other fires as well as motor vehicle accidents and assisting the Ambulance.

Ambulance – There are two Ambulances permanently stationed on Macleay Island and three permanent Paramedics. The Ambulance Station is co-located with the Rural Fire Brigade and the primary helipad.

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Russell Island

Police – Four Police Officers are permanently stationed at Russell Island. There is a Police Station located near the jetty and barge ramp in High Street, near the Russell Island State School. Should additional Police Officers be needed, they can arrive alongside any additional vehicles needed via the Police Barge.

Fire – Located in Jackson Road is the Russell Island Rural Fire Brigade which is capable of responding to bushfires and other fires as well as motor vehicle accidents.

Ambulance – There are two Ambulances permanently stationed on Russell Island and three permanent Paramedics. The Ambulance Station is located near the Police and School on High Street. The primary helipad is located on Jackson Oval, Jackson Road.

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Police – Queensland Police Service

The Police Officers across SMBI provide a valuable community service, as in other areas, including ensuring road users are complying with relevant Laws, following up on reports of criminal activities, performing welfare checks on residents, assisting with disaster management response where applicable, and various other community activities. Should there need to be additional Officers on any of the Islands, there is a Police Barge that can bring additional vehicles across quickly from Redland Bay, along with additional Officers.

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Fire – Rural Fire Service

Rural Fire Service volunteers provide a number of services right across SMBI including: fighting landscape fires; hazard prevention and mitigation advice (controlled burns etc.); issuing fire permits and Fire Warden activities; community education and engagement; and disaster management response and recovery operations.

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Ambulance – Queensland Ambulance Service

Medi Kat – Our Water Ambulance, also known as Medi Kat, is used when patients require transport to or from the mainland. Medi Kat is normally staffed separately to the Russell Island Station, and is docked at Russell Island.

Rescue Helicopter – Should a patient require emergency transport that is best delivered through helicopter transport, each of the Islands has landing areas for a helicopter which will allow rapid transport to the destination hospital.

Macleay Island Local Ambulance Committee – The Macleay Island LAC delivers the CPR Awareness Program as well as the Snakes Alive Program (no, there are no live snakes) in the SMBI community, as well as providing First Aid services at various community functions. LACs are an important part of the Queensland Ambulance Service and they perform a variety of functions, including raising awareness of ambulance services through community engagement activities; and fundraising to enhance QAS services such as funding further education or research opportunities for operational staff.

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SES – State Emergency Service

The State Emergency Service (SES) is a volunteer emergency and rescue service operating within the department of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.  The SES service is dedicated to helping the community in times of disaster, responding to thousands of calls for help every year.

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Coast Guard & Volunteer Marine Rescue

The QF7 Redland Bay Volunteer Coast Guard Flotilla (call sign VMR447 – Redland Bay Coast Guard) operates the Marine Assist service, an annual subscription is available. QF7 is proud to help guard Moreton Bay and its nearby coastal waters.

Volunteer Marine Rescue Victoria Point is a community not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers. Through subscription to their On-water Assistance program, they are able to help get you home when things go wrong. Safety of Life at Sea is their primary mission and you will regularly see their two rescue vessels on the water either doing just that or training to ensure they can deliver when needed.

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Pets and Wildlife

We all agree that our pets are our family members, and when they need help we need to find that as quickly as possible. Bay Islands Veterinary Services (Macleay) and Redlands Vet Clinic (Russell) are available at various times to provide veterinary services. VETCARE2U also makes house call visits to SMBI – call to book. Click here for more information on Pets (and Ticks).

If you come across an injured native animal, please either take it immediately to one of our local vets for assessment, or head over to the SMBI Wildlife page to contact one of our local or regional volunteer carers who may be able to assist.