Rural Queensland firefighters are worried about their gear as the state braces for a potentially hazardous fire season. 

Despite the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) identifying the need to replace dozens of vehicles annually, no new primary response fire trucks have been delivered to regional areas over the past two years. 

The QFES attributes this delay to a global supply chain backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Justin Choveaux, the general manager of the Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland (RFBAQ), says there is a strong need for adequate equipment to combat fires swiftly and minimise damage. 

He said there is a serious lack of trucks with the latest crew safety and firefighting equipment.

Firefighters are particularly concerned about the threat of grassfires this summer, as grass fuel loads in certain areas have reached levels not seen in decades due to abundant winter rainfall. 

Additionally, key equipment, including medium attack trucks, is in need of replacement.

Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan says he is disappointed over the equipment delays and assured that funding has been committed to the supply of new vehicles. 

However, the ageing fleet remains a concern, with almost 14 per cent of the Rural Fire Service's vehicles being over 20 years old.