Queensland, AU, Fire Department Admits Firefighters at LODD Blaze Didn't Have Effective Radios
The Queensland Fire Department has admitted to a safety breach -- not providing effective radios -- at a 2023 factory fire that killed one firefighter and injured another.
Firefighter Izabell 'Izzy' Nash, 46, died and fellow Senior Firefighter Lia Drew was killed in the fire south of Brisbane.
A number of their calls for help after becoming trapped were garbled as they were using radios that the department knew since 2019 were unreliable, according to 9 News Austrailia.
The same type of radios that Nash and Drew were carrying are still being used today, a firefighters' union official said, adding they are writing to the Prime Minister for a review of the communications failures that are putting crews in severe danger.
In 2025 the Worker Health and Safety prosecutor launched legal action against the Queensland Fire Department, stating it failed to comply with its health and safety duty by exposing an individual to a risk of death, serious injury or illness, according to a report.
In a statement, Queensland fire officials wrote: "The prosecution relates to alleged failures associated with fireground radio communications. However to be clear, it is not alleged that such failures caused the death of Izzy or the injury to Lia."
"I want to reassure Queensland Fire and Rescue Firefighters and the Queensland community that the Queensland Fire Department has learnt from this tragic incident."
The department is facing a fine for the safety breach. The sentencing date has not been set.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.