❓ Mr Alban questions the Minister for Emergency Services about government measures to improve preparedness for the fire season among local volunteer firefighters. The Minister details several initiatives including funding for equipment, vehicles, station upgrades, fire-tracking systems, and a rescue helicopter.
AnsweredQoN 611Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
VOLUNTEER
FIREFIGHTERS — PREPAREDNESS FOR FIRE SEASON
611. Mr F.A. ALBAN to the
Minister for Emergency Services:
Mr Speaker —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr F.A. ALBAN : As
we approach the fire season, can the minister please update the house on the
measures the government has taken to ensure that local volunteer firefighters
have a greater level of preparedness?
FIREFIGHTERS — PREPAREDNESS FOR FIRE SEASON
611. Mr F.A. ALBAN to the
Minister for Emergency Services:
Mr Speaker —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr F.A. ALBAN : As
we approach the fire season, can the minister please update the house on the
measures the government has taken to ensure that local volunteer firefighters
have a greater level of preparedness?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. I know that a large
percentage of his electorate is an area that regularly faces the threat of
bushfire, and I appreciate his genuine concern on this issue.
This government is getting on with the job of delivering its
election commitments to provide increased protection for volunteer firefighters
and increase the readiness and preparedness levels of the state for the coming
fire season, as well as implementing the Keelty report recommendations. There
is a lot going on in this field at the moment and it is worth noting some of
the things that are happening in order to help make this state more prepared
for the coming fire season. Programs include, for example, the capes enhanced
delivery program, with $7 million invested by the Liberal–National
government over the next four years to provide additional fire appliances and
Department of Fire and Emergency Services staff for the lower south west corner
of Western Australia, which is obviously one of the higher threat areas of the
state for bushfires. Another program will provide new appliances for south west
cape, such as a 3.4 urban tanker for the Dunsborough Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Service Brigade and new equipment also for Busselton and Margaret River fire
brigades. An allocation of $12.3 million will provide new protective equipment,
which is very important for firefighting vehicles, and will upgrade the 667
vehicles in the fleet with items such as fire blankets and spray bars.
Extensions to the south west brigade
stations have already been completed. A number of brigades in the south west
have had significant extensions done to their fire stations. We are spending
$5.6 million on the Aurora fire-tracking system, which will provide bushfire
protection and detection, simultaneous tracking and early warning for bushfire
threats across the state. Construction of the new Kambalda fire station is
pretty much complete. I was out there about a month ago. It is a stunning
building and has a great group of blokes out there volunteering with the
Kambalda Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Brigade. An allocation of $15 million
of funding over four years for the new emergency services rescue helicopter for
the south west will provide a brilliant asset package and will actually make a
difference in saving the lives of people to the south of Perth. The bushfire
risk management planning process is well and truly underway.
Lastly, I make the point that no
fire season is ever without its risks or challenges. Nothing is for sure in
this particular game. There are no guarantees when dealing with the lottery of
life that is dealt out by Mother Nature. It is not just about the state getting
ready and readying its resources; it is also about individuals taking
responsibility for their own property as well, and that they have done
everything to ensure that their houses, premises and equipment are as
defendable as possible in case the unfortunate bushfire comes. I therefore have
one message for the people of Western Australia who are in fire-risk areas: if
you think you have checked everything, go out and check again as you can never
be prepared enough for the risk of bushfire.
percentage of his electorate is an area that regularly faces the threat of
bushfire, and I appreciate his genuine concern on this issue.
This government is getting on with the job of delivering its
election commitments to provide increased protection for volunteer firefighters
and increase the readiness and preparedness levels of the state for the coming
fire season, as well as implementing the Keelty report recommendations. There
is a lot going on in this field at the moment and it is worth noting some of
the things that are happening in order to help make this state more prepared
for the coming fire season. Programs include, for example, the capes enhanced
delivery program, with $7 million invested by the Liberal–National
government over the next four years to provide additional fire appliances and
Department of Fire and Emergency Services staff for the lower south west corner
of Western Australia, which is obviously one of the higher threat areas of the
state for bushfires. Another program will provide new appliances for south west
cape, such as a 3.4 urban tanker for the Dunsborough Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Service Brigade and new equipment also for Busselton and Margaret River fire
brigades. An allocation of $12.3 million will provide new protective equipment,
which is very important for firefighting vehicles, and will upgrade the 667
vehicles in the fleet with items such as fire blankets and spray bars.
Extensions to the south west brigade
stations have already been completed. A number of brigades in the south west
have had significant extensions done to their fire stations. We are spending
$5.6 million on the Aurora fire-tracking system, which will provide bushfire
protection and detection, simultaneous tracking and early warning for bushfire
threats across the state. Construction of the new Kambalda fire station is
pretty much complete. I was out there about a month ago. It is a stunning
building and has a great group of blokes out there volunteering with the
Kambalda Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Brigade. An allocation of $15 million
of funding over four years for the new emergency services rescue helicopter for
the south west will provide a brilliant asset package and will actually make a
difference in saving the lives of people to the south of Perth. The bushfire
risk management planning process is well and truly underway.
Lastly, I make the point that no
fire season is ever without its risks or challenges. Nothing is for sure in
this particular game. There are no guarantees when dealing with the lottery of
life that is dealt out by Mother Nature. It is not just about the state getting
ready and readying its resources; it is also about individuals taking
responsibility for their own property as well, and that they have done
everything to ensure that their houses, premises and equipment are as
defendable as possible in case the unfortunate bushfire comes. I therefore have
one message for the people of Western Australia who are in fire-risk areas: if
you think you have checked everything, go out and check again as you can never
be prepared enough for the risk of bushfire.
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