In the upcoming 2023-24 State Budget, the Rockliff Liberal Government will invest $10 million into our Tasmania Fire Service and State Emergency Service to upgrade stations around the State.
Speaking at the Tasmania Fire and Emergency Services State Conference, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, gave staff and volunteers the good news.
“I am pleased to announce funding that the Treasurer and Premier have committed to in our 2023-24 Tasmanian State Budget to support our emergency service volunteers,” he said.
“Our emergency services often put themselves in harm’s way to keep Tasmania safe and we are supporting them by investing $10 million in our TFS and SES stations around the State.
“Better stations means stronger emergency responses, protecting our people against hazardous exposures and more inclusive facilities for our growing female volunteer cohort.”
In January the Premier and Minister Ellis made a joint announcement about the merger of the TFS and SES under one common operating platform as part of the Government’s Stronger Together reforms.
Minister Ellis said the merger will equip the more than 5,400 emergency services volunteers to better respond to natural disasters and strengthen existing cohesive and collaborative relationships.
He said the Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service (TFES) will be led by a Commissioner of Fire and Emergency Services, who will report directly to the Minister.
“The reform will deliver on the requests that our staff and volunteers have made of Government for a stronger, clearer chain of command that elevates the responsibility and capability of the TFES,” Minister Ellis said.
“And this 2023-24 Tasmanian State Budget commitment is a further show of support for our volunteers.
“This capital injection builds on more than $185 million in additional funding that has been invested by the Liberal Government into fire and emergency services since 2014.
“We are building a strong economy and a safe, caring community, and we will continue to serve Tasmanians to ensure a prosperous future for our State.”
