Terrifying images of Australia's bushfire crisis have inspired many people to volunteer as firefighters, but senior Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) leaders in Queensland are worried they will be hit hard by a new requirement for blue cards.

Key points: All firefighting operational staff are required to get a blue card by March 31

All firefighting operational staff are required to get a blue card by March 31 About 8,500 of the 20,400 RFS volunteers have applied

About 8,500 of the 20,400 RFS volunteers have applied The RFS says volunteers without blue cards will have to leave

Retired builder Ian Swadling has been a rural firefighter for 30 years, but said he was one of several who would rather hang up his yellow jacket than undergo the check.

A blue card is a formal crime prevention, risk management and monitoring system for people working with children.

The rules differ in each state and territory, but Queensland is the only state requiring all operational firefighters to have a blue card, or its equivalent.

Mr Swadling said he and many others were offended by the new requirement, given police and paramedics were exempt from the same rules.

"It's absolutely ludicrous, it's a nonsense proposal," he said.

"It would be quite … emotional [to leave], but I'm not going to betray my principles.

"The other issue is if Queensland firefighters have to have a blue card, what does that say about other states — will they need them before they can come and assist us?"

Mr Swadling has written to the Queensland Government and hopes the Premier will change her mind. ( ABC News: Anna Hartley )

From April, all paid and volunteer firefighters will need a blue card — otherwise they will be forced to leave.

Mr Swadling, who is also part of the independent Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland, said the organisation had written to the State Government seeking a compromise.

"The Government has been very foolish to even consider removing a large number of experienced firefighters," he said.

"I don't see it as a box-ticking exercise, it's an offensive attitude and approach the department came at us with.

"They've just come at us like a bull at a gate and got most of the volunteers' backs up.

"I've never come across a minor on the fireground."

Mr Swadling says he does not see it as a box-ticking exercise. ( ABC News: Anna Hartley )

But another Queensland rural firefighter, Julian Grigg, told the ABC he believed blue cards were a good idea.

"I and a number of my colleagues believe the blue card is a small price to pay when it comes to stopping a single child from being abused and tarnishing a great organisation like the Queensland Rural Fire Service," Mr Grigg said.

"I understand at our brigade [of more than 40 members] we have all have submitted a blue card application with the majority being processes.

"It took about 10 minutes to fill in the form and with no cost to us — wasn't even an issue."

Fewer than half of volunteers have applied

QFES assistant commissioner John Bolger said so far just 8,500 of the state's 20,400 Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers who need a blue card had applied.

Mr Bolger said he was concerned some rural fire stations could be left near empty over the rule change.

"I'm worried that there will be a group that decide not to [get a blue card] and decide to leave and we will have pockets of areas depleted in numbers," he said.

"I don't want to have to say to a community that — for the time being, until those people can be replaced — you've got a station and a truck, but for reasons not known to me this group have decided not to go through with a blue card application."

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford (left) and Mr Bolger (right) are bringing in the rule change. ( ABC News: Anna Hartley )

It costs just over $90 to get the card and they remain valid for three years.

Mr Bolger said the RFS would cover the cost and part of the form had already been filled out for volunteers, in a bid to make the process easier.

"Give it some thought, think about your future, think about the community, think about the great work that you do and let's get on board together with the blue card."

Dozens denied blue cards

The deadline for firefighters to obtain blue cards was initially December 31, but that was pushed back as staff battled blazes interstate during the bushfire crisis.

Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said of the 16,000 paid and volunteer firefighters who had applied, 52 volunteer firefighters had failed to meet blue card requirements.

Mr Crawford said two of them resigned immediately, while the other 50 are appealing against the negative notice.

They are suspended pending the outcome of those appeals.

People convicted of disqualifying offences cannot apply for a blue card and those convicted of serious offences can only hold one in certain circumstances, but those who do not receive a card can appeal.

Mr Phillips said there had been an influx in volunteer requests. ( ABC News: Anna Hartley )

"I apologise to those who feel this requirement is in any way a reflection on their exemplary character [but] we can never be too vigilant when it comes to child safety," Mr Crawford said.

"It is a move endorsed by child safety advocates Bruce Morcombe, co-founder of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, and Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston."

Spike in volunteers amid crisis

Several rural fire stations in Queensland, as well as those in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, have experienced a spike in expressions of interest amid the bushfire crisis.

Ripley Valley Rural Fire Station in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, has had 60 people inquiring in the past few months alone.

"That's really significant — generally we only get 10 to 20 a year if we're lucky," first officer Matthew Phillips said.

"If we have a very quiet season, we might only get five or six.

Ms Power trains at Ripley Valley Fire Station in Ipswich. ( ABC News: Anna Hartley )

"It's quite overwhelming, but that's what Australians do, they help their community."

RFS recruits already go through a criminal history check.

New trainee Kirsty Power said she was glad something positive had come out of the tragedy of the Australian bushfires.

"I think it's fantastic, it's the best feeling in the world," she said.

"The more people who are out there [volunteering] the better."