❓ Hon. Samantha Rowe questions the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the implementation of fire crew protection measures promised during the election, specifically heat shields, breathing systems, water spray, GPS, and fire blankets. The Minister's response outlines the progress and timeline for these upgrades.
AnsweredQoN 698Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES — FIRE CREW
PROTECTION
698. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the Attorney General
representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the election commitment
to install fire crew protections.
(1) What
percentage of the 667 Department of Fire and Emergency Services vehicles will
operate this season with heat shields, in-cab breathing systems, water spray
protection and advanced GPS installed?
(2) Can the
Minister for Emergency Services confirm that fire blankets have not yet been
distributed to all DFES bush fire brigades?
PROTECTION
698. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the Attorney General
representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the election commitment
to install fire crew protections.
(1) What
percentage of the 667 Department of Fire and Emergency Services vehicles will
operate this season with heat shields, in-cab breathing systems, water spray
protection and advanced GPS installed?
(2) Can the
Minister for Emergency Services confirm that fire blankets have not yet been
distributed to all DFES bush fire brigades?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Minister for
Emergency Services, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) In Western
Australia there are 981 appliances with bushfire capabilities. On a priority
basis, 667 operate in a high to extreme bushfire risk environment. Some
vehicles are being retrofitted with heat shields on a priority basis, with
those in higher risk areas being fitted out first. To date, 10 per cent have
been installed and the process is continuing on a rolling basis over the next
three years. Contracts for other upgrades will be awarded this financial year.
(2) Four
thousand fire blankets are being provided. The rollout of fire blankets has
commenced and will be provided at an approximate rate of 250 a week. Fire
blankets are being manufactured in order to comply with Australian standards.
All efforts are being focused to ensure the timely supply and delivery of crew
protection measures. The implementation schedule recognises the complexity of
the range of appliance types and the specifications of each element of the
comprehensive crew protection system to ensure fit-for-purpose outcomes, as
well as the need to maintain the required level of front-line operational
firefighting response capability.
Emergency Services, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) In Western
Australia there are 981 appliances with bushfire capabilities. On a priority
basis, 667 operate in a high to extreme bushfire risk environment. Some
vehicles are being retrofitted with heat shields on a priority basis, with
those in higher risk areas being fitted out first. To date, 10 per cent have
been installed and the process is continuing on a rolling basis over the next
three years. Contracts for other upgrades will be awarded this financial year.
(2) Four
thousand fire blankets are being provided. The rollout of fire blankets has
commenced and will be provided at an approximate rate of 250 a week. Fire
blankets are being manufactured in order to comply with Australian standards.
All efforts are being focused to ensure the timely supply and delivery of crew
protection measures. The implementation schedule recognises the complexity of
the range of appliance types and the specifications of each element of the
comprehensive crew protection system to ensure fit-for-purpose outcomes, as
well as the need to maintain the required level of front-line operational
firefighting response capability.
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