Workplace safety charges filed over firefighter death
Rex Martinich |
Almost two years after a firefighter was fatally injured responding to a warehouse blaze, a state fire department has been charged with alleged workplace health and safety failures.
First Class firefighter Izabella “Izzy” Nash, 46, died in hospital on the night of May 2, 2023, after her colleagues pulled her from a large fire at Slacks Creek, south of Brisbane, about 2am.
Senior firefighter Lia Drew was seriously injured while responding to the same incident.
Queensland Fire Department (QFD) on Thursday confirmed the organisation had been charged with failing to comply with health and safety duty.
“Proceedings have been commenced against the Queensland Fire Department in relation to the events surrounding the Slacks Creek fire and the tragic loss of Izabella “Izzy” Nash and serious injury to Lia Drew,” a department spokesperson said.
“QFD prioritises the safety of its personnel with extensive training and a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
“Given the matter is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A spokesperson from Queensland’s Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor said the charges would be mentioned on July 11 at Beenleigh Magistrates Court.
“The independent Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor has commenced a case contrary to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011,” the spokesperson said.
“Until the matter is mentioned in open court, no further comment will be made.”
Three weeks after the 2023 fire, hundreds of firefighters, friends and emergency service members, along with Queensland’s political leaders, gathered in Brisbane’s Nissan Arena for a memorial service for Ms Nash.
The ceiling was shaded red with coloured spotlights and a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services flag was draped high above the car park on a fire truck’s aerial pump crane.
Ms Nash was “outstanding” as a person and a firefighter, emergency services senior chaplain Derek Whitehouse said during the memorial.
“(We) come together to honour a brave servant of the people of Queensland and to acknowledge an ordinary person who lived an extraordinary life,” he said.
AAP
