More firefighters, emergency vehicles and stations have been announced for the year ahead as part of the ACT Budget for 2019-20 delivered by the Treasurer this week.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman said 36 more firefighters would be recruited.
“These firefighters will replace retiring staff and continue strengthening our firefighting workforce, with a particular focus on achieving the recruitment aims set out in theWomen in Emergency Services Strategy and the Indigenous Fire and Rescue Employment Strategy,” Mr Gentleman said.
“We will also start work on the due diligence and preliminary design for two new combined ACT Ambulance Service and ACT Fire and Rescue stations, to be located in the City and the Molonglo Valley.”
He said the Government had engaged a global leader in emergency response planning to provide expert advice on the location of the new stations to help ensure emergency response times remained among the best in the country.
“To ensure reliable firefighting capability and respond to the growth of higher density buildings across our city and town centres, we will deliver a new aerial platform for ACT Fire and Rescue,” Mr Gentleman said.
“This vehicle will replace the existing platform, providing modern firefighting capabilities and better protection at incidents involving multi-storey buildings.”
Mr Gentleman said ACT Rural Fire Service volunteers and staff would benefit from upgraded workspaces with the refurbishment of a multi-purpose room at the Hume Helibase and modernised change areas for the Hall Brigade.
He said money had also been allocated to refurbish the ACT State Emergency Service’s Majura Unit.
“Construction of a new administration building and expansion of vehicle, equipment and training spaces at the Majura Unit will provide crucial support to Canberra’s Inner North during storm and flood events,” Mr Gentleman said.
