The McGowan Labor Government will invest an additional $281.8 million in the 2021-22 State Budget to boost frontline emergency services and help Western Australians recover from major disasters.
Regional Western Australians will benefit from a $17.8 million package to employ an additional 36 career firefighters, delivering on a McGowan Government election commitment to increase firefighter numbers in regional WA.
The investment will increase the number of personnel in Albany, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Geraldton, bolstering their ratios to one station officer and five firefighters on duty at all times.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Fire Station will undergo a $1.2 million upgrade to accommodate the increased number of firefighters on station.
A further $14.5 million has been set aside for the construction of a new fire station in Perth's south-east to cater for the significant population growth occurring in the region.
The State's fleet of emergency services vehicles will also undergo a major expansion to ensure high-risk areas are better resourced during peak periods.
At a cost of $11.2 million, the State Operational Support Fleet will give the Department of Fire and Emergency Services greater resources and communications capabilities at strategic locations in Western Australia.
Additionally, $4.9 million has been allocated to fund 4,100 replacement sets of personal protective clothing for volunteer and career firefighters.
$80.2 million has been allocated to fund joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements in response to natural disasters, including the Wooroloo bushfire and Carnarvon floods.
$104.5 million will go towards the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements in response to Cyclone Seroja - the largest disaster recovery package in WA history.
This investment is complemented by $9.7 million to employ 20 staff to assist with the mammoth recovery effort in areas impacted by Cyclone Seroja.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Our frontline emergency services workers do incredibly important work on behalf of all Western Australians. The State Budget is providing more resources, better equipment, new facilities and more capacity to respond to emergencies and recovery efforts around WA.
"We're delivering considerable additional support for regional emergency services - including 36 new career firefighters in the regions and support to help the recovery effort in parts of country WA hit by natural disasters.
"Our strong Budget position enables continued investment in vital areas like emergency services, ensuring we can continue to support the people who help keep Western Australians safe."
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby:
"The McGowan Government is serious about investing in frontline emergency services to help keep our State safe and give our frontline emergency services workers the equipment and support they need.
"We are delivering on our election commitments to fund new infrastructure and invest in key services so that Western Australians are protected in times of natural disaster or emergency.
"The support we have committed to disaster relief will ensure communities devastated by bushfires and cyclones can get back on their feet."
