The McGowan Government has handed over $1.8 million of new appliances to boost the resources of one of the State's busiest incident response crews.
Two light tankers and two 3.4 urban tankers have been delivered to the State-Wide Operations Responses Division (SWORD), a key unit within the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the new light tankers, appliances and canine transport trailer were essential equipment to support the hard working SWORD team of emergency services volunteers.
Each of the tankers has been designed with a range of crew protection measures including burnover blankets, in-cab breathable air units, large refrigerators for hydration and automated vehicle location.
The State Emergency Service (SES) Communications Support Unit and DFES State Operational Logistics Support Unit have received General Operational Pods worth $148,000 each.
The pods have been designed to support incident responses to storm, cyclone, earthquake and flooding events as well as deployment to search and rescue incidents.
A custom-built transport trailer worth almost $17,000 will soon be in full use with the SES Canine Unit.
The trailer enables safe transport of search dogs and associated equipment in support of land search operations throughout WA.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"It's critical that our fire and emergency services volunteers have access to the best equipment possible as they strive to protect local communities.
"The McGowan Government is committed to boosting community safety and this $1.8 million investment ensures these dedicated volunteers have state-of-the-art resources to support their efforts across the State.
"The new light tankers not only help battle fires and stage rescues, but they also provide updated protection for volunteers, which is so important considering the dangerous conditions in which the crews operate.
"Most importantly, the handover of this equipment is an opportunity to meet with the volunteers and to thank them personally for the extraordinary role they perform in protecting WA's local communities."
As stated by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"The four new tankers will boost the capability of our hard-working SWORD volunteers while also ensuring they have appropriate safety equipment at incidents.
"Earlier this year SWORD volunteers spent 26 consecutive days in the field, travelling thousands of kilometres to offer logistical support to major incidents all over WA and at one point responded to five separate incidents simultaneously.
"I commend the McGowan Government for standing by our volunteers and recognising their commitment to protecting the community by funding these upgrades."
