A Gascoyne State Emergency Service (SES) unit now has a new and improved headquarters following a $140,000 upgrade that will bolster its operational and training capabilities.
Useless Loop SES officially moved into its new facility today following a handover ceremony with Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson and Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM.
The SES unit will share its headquarters with the Shark Bay Resources Emergency Response Team under an agreement with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
Shark Bay Resources contributed $90,000 to the upgrade, with the remaining $50,000 funded through the Emergency Services Levy.
In a boost to the wellbeing and development opportunities of volunteers, the upgraded facilities now feature:
- three offices;
- a larger training room;
- a kitchen;
- a laundry;
- a preparation area; and
- storage spaces.
Formed in 1988 to service the mining town of the same name, Useless Loop SES
primarily attends road crashes, severe storms, rescues, and land searches around the southern peninsula of the Shire of Shark Bay, but also responds to major incidents in the Mid-West and Gascoyne.
The new facility is expected to help improve emergency response times in the remote area.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"A key part of supporting WA's emergency services is to ensure our volunteers have access to modern facilities, enabling them to prepare and conduct their operations in the best possible environment.
"We can't take for granted the people who are prepared to drop everything at a moment's notice and put their lives on the line to protect their local community.
"These much-needed upgrades will not only make a big difference in how the Useless Loop SES train and respond to incidents, but also to build camaraderie within their own team and other emergency responders.
"This upgrade has been achieved through a successful partnership with the local community and businesses - and the Emergency Services Levy - to deliver a new collocated facility to support local volunteer response teams."
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Peter Foster:
"The Shire of Shark Bay is a busy area for travellers and tourists alike who rely on the skills and experience of our emergency services volunteers to keep them safe."
"This upgraded collocated facility is most welcome and enables our local volunteers to prepare and provide an even greater service to support their local community."
