Central Coast SES volunteers will have new Ark-Angel Flood Rescue inflatable boats to keep the community safe from flood as part of a grant from the NSW Government.
Minister for Emergency Services, David Elliott was joined by Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch today to present a $5,000 grant to the Wyong and Gosford SES Units to add to their existing fleet.
Mr Elliott said the NSW Government had a strong record of supporting the incredible work of emergency services volunteers.
“We’re committed to providing our SES volunteers with the best possible equipment and amenities so they can get on with the job they do best – saving lives,” he said.
Mr Crouch said the funding could not have come at a better time.
“Parts of the Central Coast have been impacted by fire and flood in recent months and I want to pay tribute to all emergency services personnel, particularly the SES and RFS, who put their lives on the line each day,” Mr Crouch said.
Mr Elliott and Mr Crouch also joined Member of the Legislative Council Taylor Martin MLC to inspect works at the newly refurbished Kariong Fire Station.
The facility, which has recently undergone a $2.75 million upgrade, will be officially opened in early April.
Mr Elliott said the now operational facility would greatly benefit local firefighters.
“The refurbished fire station will provide a state-of-the-art base for the men and women who work hard to protect the local and surrounding communities,” he said.
Mr Crouch said the project would boost firefighters’ ability to respond to a wide range of emergencies.
“The upgraded facility will ensure local firefighters are trained, rested and ready to respond to emergency situations – whether it be a fire, accident or chemical spill,” Mr Crouch said.
Kariong Fire Station is staffed by a mix of permanent and retained firefighters who are available 24/7 to protect the community during emergencies.
Mr Martin said the facility would provide firefighters with the provisions they need to continue to deliver the best service possible well into the future.
“The renovations will improve training and administrative services for the region as well as support our professional, scientific approach to firefighting,” he said.
During his visit, Mr Elliott also thanked the firefighters for their ongoing commitment to the recent bushfire crisis.
“Four strike teams from Kariong greatly assisted firefighting efforts at the Three Mile Fire throughout December last year,” he said.
“The conditions they faced were unprecedented and I, along with the rest of NSW, am extremely grateful for their dedication to protecting their local communities.”
Mr Elliott and Mr Crouch also visited the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) in Warnervale to inspect a number of brand new GRN Portable Radios as part of $156,000 boost to the VRA’s radio infrastructure across NSW.
“VRA volunteers often face challenging emergencies across regional areas like Central Coast, so we want to do everything we can to ensure they’re as safe as possible when responding to help others,” Mr Elliott said.
“This investment in radio equipment is just a small piece of our $18.8 million investment over four years in world-class equipment and training.”