- Five new appliances enhance emergency services year-round
- South East Metropolitan emergency services have attended 355 incidents already this year
- Cook Government investment helps safeguard Perth's communities from bushfires
Career and volunteer emergency services brigades in Perth's south-east now have the keys to five state-of-the-art appliances to bolster resources during the challenging high-threat period.
The State Government's $2.2 million investment is already enhancing fire and rescue response across inner-city suburbs east of the Swan River and out towards communities in the Perth Hills.
Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia, accompanied by local members of Parliament, officially handed over two 3.4 urban tankers, two light tankers, and a general rescue utility to volunteer and career first responders at the Gosnells Emergency Operations Centre.
The two 3.4 urban tankers, valued at $1.4 million, were received by the Serpentine Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade (BFB) and Cardup Career Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS). The appliance is designed specifically for bushfire response and has 3,600 litres of water and a 60-litre foam capacity, the latest in crew protection, and provision for six crew members.
Kensington CFRS and Roleystone/Karragullen Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade were each handed the keys to a light tanker valued at approximately $305,000 - a fast and mobile firefighting appliance with world-class safety features and improved off-road capabilities.
Gosnells State Emergency Service's (SES) new general rescue utility, valued at approximately $150,000, is equipped with features including four-wheel-drive capability, a long-range fuel tank, and additional lighting to ensure volunteers can attend incidents following any weather event including severe storms, search and rescue incidents, and flooding.
The vast Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) South East Metropolitan region comprises six career and four volunteer DFES-managed fire stations, six SES units, and 11 local government-managed BFBs across seven localities.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"Emergency services in this region have had an extremely busy start to the year, with many giving up their holiday plans to protect their community at the frontline, responding to incidents such as the bushfires in Boya Quarry and Kalamunda earlier this month.
"Severe storms that tore roofs off homes in the hills last year prove that volunteers play a critical role in keeping people safe across all emergencies.
"On behalf of the WA Government, thank you for your dedication and commitment to public safety and I hope you utilise these vehicles for years to come."
As stated by Armadale MLA Dr Tony Buti:
"Armadale sits right on the urban fringe, which means our community is particularly vulnerable during bushfire season. This investment strengthens frontline capability where it's needed most.
"Our firefighters and volunteers in Armadale respond to a wide range of incidents, from bushfires and structure fires to storms and rescues. These new appliances give them safer, more reliable equipment to do their job effectively."
As stated by Darling Range MLA Hugh Jones:
"We live in a bushfire-prone community, and our emergency services crews are on the frontline of bushfires, storms and rescues year-round.
"The delivery of these new appliances is a practical investment in the safety of our fast-growing community and supports our local crews to respond faster and more effectively in the case of emergency."
As stated by Cannington MLA Ron Sao:
"It's already been a busy year for our volunteer and career firefighters, and this investment ensures local crews have the tools they need to keep residents safe.
"Gosnells emergency services play a critical role in protecting our community. I'm proud our government has provided these modern, fit-for-purpose appliances to help them do their job safely and effectively."
