❓ Mr. Cowper thanks the Minister for Emergency Services for visiting Waroona and asks for an update on firefighting efforts. The Minister acknowledges and thanks firefighters and other services, highlighting the increased number of significant fires this season and the impact on resources and personnel.
AnsweredQoN 3Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FIREFIGHTING
EFFORT
3. Mr M.J. COWPER to the
Minister for Emergency Services:
Before I ask my
question, I want to thank the minister personally for coming down a couple of
Saturdays ago to show support and leadership to the people of Waroona during a
very trying time.
In the midst of what
has been a very challenging summer, can the minister please update the house on
the efforts of the state's firefighters in protecting our communities?
EFFORT
3. Mr M.J. COWPER to the
Minister for Emergency Services:
Before I ask my
question, I want to thank the minister personally for coming down a couple of
Saturdays ago to show support and leadership to the people of Waroona during a
very trying time.
In the midst of what
has been a very challenging summer, can the minister please update the house on
the efforts of the state's firefighters in protecting our communities?
AnswerView source ↗
I start by placing on
record, on behalf of every member of the house I am sure, our appreciation of
all the career and volunteer firefighters, members of the State Emergency
Service, the Salvation Army, and everyone who has played such a significant
part in tackling what has been a very challenging fire season in the state of
Western Australia. In particular, in the last four weeks, we have had major
fires in Bullsbrook, in the electorate of the member for Murray–Wellington
and obviously down in Northcliffe and Boddington. Two weeks ago I also visited
fires in Northcliffe and Boddington to personally thank the guys and girls
working on those fires. It has been encouraging to see so many people from all
walks of life coming together to try to tackle what was a significant problem
for those communities. Since the start of the bushfire season, there have been
2 500 bushfires, with 103 of them being what we call ''significant
incidents'', which mean level 2 or above. To put that into context, over
the previous four or five seasons, the average has been 83 significant fires
each year. This season, the number of fires is way up on the average over the
last four years. It is very disturbing when we find out that some of those
fires are deliberately lit. That puts significant strain not only on resources,
but also on career and volunteer firefighters, particularly those who travel
some distance down south and spend four days on and off their rotation shift.
They give up an awful lot of their time and, in some circumstances, income to
do their bit for the community. We are all very grateful for what they do.
The bushfire season
is far from over. I take this opportunity to remind everyone to remain
vigilant. We still have some time to go to the end of the fire season and no
doubt there will be more challenges. Once again, on behalf of every member, I
thank those who have been involved in fighting and combatting those fires. It
has been a wonderful effort.
Members: Hear, hear!
record, on behalf of every member of the house I am sure, our appreciation of
all the career and volunteer firefighters, members of the State Emergency
Service, the Salvation Army, and everyone who has played such a significant
part in tackling what has been a very challenging fire season in the state of
Western Australia. In particular, in the last four weeks, we have had major
fires in Bullsbrook, in the electorate of the member for Murray–Wellington
and obviously down in Northcliffe and Boddington. Two weeks ago I also visited
fires in Northcliffe and Boddington to personally thank the guys and girls
working on those fires. It has been encouraging to see so many people from all
walks of life coming together to try to tackle what was a significant problem
for those communities. Since the start of the bushfire season, there have been
2 500 bushfires, with 103 of them being what we call ''significant
incidents'', which mean level 2 or above. To put that into context, over
the previous four or five seasons, the average has been 83 significant fires
each year. This season, the number of fires is way up on the average over the
last four years. It is very disturbing when we find out that some of those
fires are deliberately lit. That puts significant strain not only on resources,
but also on career and volunteer firefighters, particularly those who travel
some distance down south and spend four days on and off their rotation shift.
They give up an awful lot of their time and, in some circumstances, income to
do their bit for the community. We are all very grateful for what they do.
The bushfire season
is far from over. I take this opportunity to remind everyone to remain
vigilant. We still have some time to go to the end of the fire season and no
doubt there will be more challenges. Once again, on behalf of every member, I
thank those who have been involved in fighting and combatting those fires. It
has been a wonderful effort.
Members: Hear, hear!
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