Just under $900,000 of Emergency Services Levy funding has been invested in volunteer emergency services facilities in the Shire of Esperance.
Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan and Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM spent Sunday and Monday joining the official openings of the new facilities.
The Quarry Road Bushfire Brigade and Esperance Emergency Support Unit now have a new $364,464 facility.
The new station has four appliance bays, a training room, modern amenities and a base radio.
Coomalbidgup Bushfire Brigade now has a $366,599 purpose-built station for the first time with room for two appliances and a meeting area.
The brigade also plans to hold community events at the new station.
Howick Bushfire Brigade also has a new $148,332 building that includes an appliance bay and modern amenities.
These new stations are part of a suite of initiatives that have seen over $10 million invested in the Esperance region to reduce bushfire risks and strengthen response and recovery capabilities following the 2015 bushfires.
Other initiatives include the interagency South East Fire Working Group to identify and prioritise bushfire risk, vehicle trials to improve all-terrain capability of the firefighting fleet, installation of a standard radio repeater at Peak Charles, replacing 14 of the 28 fire appliances based in the region and having additional DFES personnel based in Esperance when the Fire Danger Rating is severe or above.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:
“This investment, funded by the Emergency Services Levy, ensures the region’s emergency service volunteers have access to modern facilities in time for this bushfire season.
“These new emergency service facilities and bushfire sheds will help volunteers better prepare and respond to emergencies in their area.
“Since the devastating fires in 2015, the State Government has invested in a range of initiatives to strengthen Esperance’s bushfire management capacity and to support local volunteer brigades.
“That has included new fire appliances, greater mitigation, funding support for the Shire of Esperance to identify its bushfire risks and improving communications in the area.”
