- Three new operational appliances for SES and firefighting volunteers
- Vehicles represent a $550,000 investment through the Emergency Services Levy
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson today officially handed over three new appliances to bolster the emergency response in the Kimberley region.
The Broome and Derby State Emergency Service (SES) Units will each benefit from a new General Rescue Utility with enhanced towing capabilities used to assist with storm, cyclone and flood response, and search and rescue.
Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS), one of the State’s busiest VFRS units, also received a new Light Tanker used mainly for bushfire response and additional transport to road crash rescue and structure fire incidents.
Each vehicle will complement the existing emergency services fleet and contains crew protection equipment, automated vehicle location, and refrigerators for hydration.
The fit-for-purpose appliances will significantly improve local emergency response capabilities with their modern design, enhanced safety technology and better storage facilities.
A combined 59 volunteers protect communities from Broome to Derby and collectively attended almost 1,200 incidents in the past three years.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The new appliances being handed over today will support the outstanding work our volunteers do in protecting their local communities.
“Emergencies can happen with little or no warning which is why providing volunteers with the best tools for their response ensures they are ready to act quickly and efficiently.
“Considering the challenges they faced during the most recent wet season, it is particularly pleasing to see local SES units receiving new General Rescue Utilities to assist their operations.
“The vehicles have been designed following extensive consultation with frontline personnel, including volunteers, to ensure they are fit-for-purpose, versatile and effective.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna:
“The Cook Labor Government continues to recognise and value the work of volunteers in protecting communities across the Kimberley, and I am proud to be part of a Government that is very proactive in this area.
“These three brand new units have been custom designed in consultation with those on the frontline, people who know what is needed when emergencies occur in the Kimberley.
“Having purpose-built vehicles like this are a huge boost to the capacity of our local Derby and Broome SES units and the Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service.
