- Koolinup Emergency Services Centre (ESC) to host community open day on Saturday, 6 May
- Collie residents invited to tour ESC facilities and meet local volunteers
- ESC supports local manufacturing and maintenance
Community members from Collie and surrounds are invited to tour the multi-purpose Koolinup Emergency Services Centre (ESC) when it opens to the public next Saturday.
The hub, which was funded through a $13.4 million investment by the McGowan Government, has been fully operational since August 2021. It was the first Level 3 Incident Control Centre built in regional Western Australia and supports firefighters throughout the South-West during major emergencies.
The ESC also commissions new Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) fleet appliances built in Collie.
In a boost to the local manufacturing industry, businesses are making a new generation of modern firefighting appliances and providing repairs and maintenance to parts of the DFES fleet.
Today, Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson and Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns visited the facility ahead of next week's open day.
Community members will also have the opportunity to take a look inside the Koolinup ESC on Saturday 6 May, with fleet appliances, the Urban Search and Rescue Canine Team and the RAC Virtual Reality Helicopter all on show.
Local heroes from the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, State Emergency Service and Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade will also have displays, while Collie Community Radio 101.3FM will broadcast live from the ESC during the event.
The open day runs from 10am to 3pm.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Koolinup ESC has strengthened and increased the presence of emergency services in the South-West.
"Its role as a Level 3 Incident Control Centre is critical during emergencies, providing support to those on the ground.
"The open day is a great opportunity to show off the fantastic work being done at this community hub."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
"This centre has quickly become a key part of the local community in Collie.
"Not only has it boosted the region's emergency response capacity, but it's also complementing a strong industry transition for Collie.
"I encourage the local community to visit the ESC on its open day and see the value of the centre up close."
