Northern Region
Northern Region extends along the coast from the Hinchinbrook Shire South to Bowen and west to the Northern Territory border, covering from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the South Australian border. While the population is concentrated on the East Coast, inland areas are populated by mining and agricultural communities.
The coastal areas of the Region are subjected to cyclones while inland areas are remote and are threatened by occasional major flooding.
Northern Region has 20 urban fire stations and an operational staff of 165 full-time and 215 auxiliary firefighters. Northern Region Headquarters, Fire Communications Centre and functional area managers are located in Townsville.
Assistant Commissioner, Northern Region
Ron Twomey
Ron is a regional Assistant Commissioner and member of the QFRS Executive Management Team. He has a passion for and commitment to achieving excellence in community service delivery through the development and encouragement of individuals and teams to be innovative, resourceful and to reach their full potential.
He completed an Electrical Mechanic apprenticeship in 1970 and later commenced service as a firefighter with the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) in 1974. He subsequently relocated with his family to Townsville and joined the Queensland Fire Service (QFS) in 1990. He worked as an operational Station Officer, Regional Training Manager and Manager Strategic Development prior to his appointment as QFRA Commissioner - Northern Region in August 1997.
His belief in the benefits and effectiveness of cohesive and interdependent teams is derived from personal experience gained during his sporting career in which he represented Victoria and Australia playing Lacrosse and Victoria in Surf Life Saving. His philosophy on business is to seek continuous improvement and his personal style is primarily that of mentor and coach. He believes that clarity of intent, effective communication and a preparedness to act is the secret to successfully achieving desired outcomes.
Ron has undertaken a number of significant personal and team projects including:
- establishing a regional Communications Centre in Townsville
- developing and implementing vehicle based Mobile Training Unit
- negotiating and managing a major commercial service delivery contract between the QFRA and MIM
- sponsoring the development of a QFRA Training Academy
- sponsoring the development and implementation of a state wide Officer Development Program
He was awarded Diplomas of Business Management and Front Line Management and completed a Public Sector Management Course (PSMC) and highly recommends personal and professional development as a lifetime interest.
Email the Assistant Commissioner
For more information, contact:
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (Northern Region)
PO Box 5845 MSO
Townsville QLD 4810
Ph: 07 4799 7074
Fax: 07 4799 7538
Regional Fire Stations - Contact Details

Bold text indicates permanent stations. Non-bold indicates auxilliary stations.
| 1. Collinsville |
6. Wulguru | 11. Halifax | 16. Richmond |
| 2. Bowen | 7. Townsville | 12. Ingham | 17. Julia Creek |
| 3. Home Hill | 8. Kirwan | 13. Forrest Beach | 18. Cloncurry |
| 4. Ayr | 9. Woodlands | 14. Charters Towers | 19. Mt Isa |
| 5. Giru | 10. Magnetic Island |
15. Hughenden |
20. Boulia |
