Central West RFS shares record $216m bush fire funding
22nd October 2009Ministerial media release
Rural Fire Service brigades across the Central West will benefit from more than $25 million in funding this year as firefighters head into a potentially severe bush fire season.
Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan today announced the 2009/10 regional funding allocations for Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades around NSW.
Mr Whan said brigades in Rural Fire Districts included in the Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange electorates would share $25.41 million from the record $216 million Rural Fire Fighting Fund.
He said the funding included more than $800,000 towards the new RFS Fire Control Centre being developed at Dubbo.
"This centre represents a significant investment in further strengthening the bushfire and emergency protection of the community in this area of the State's Central West," he said.
"This modern, purpose-built centre, being developed in partnership with Dubbo City Council, will have dedicated communications and operations facilities to help manage bushfires and other incidents."
Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin welcomed the funding as good news for volunteer firefighters.
"Our fire authorities are well prepared for this bush fire season, which could be one of the worst we have faced for some years," he said.
"Ensuring our RFS volunteers are well equipped and safe as they work to protect the community will, as always, be our highest priority this summer.
"The Government has allocated almost $395 million to provide more than 3640 bush fire tankers since 1995 and we have boosted RFS aerial firefighting resources by $6 million this summer.
"New national Fire Danger Ratings, including the new categories of severe, extreme and catastrophic, and bush fire warning systems are in place.
"Residents in bush fire prone areas should be familiar with these and take steps now to Prepare. Act. Survive.
"They must take the time to prepare their homes and families and ensure they have a Bush Fire Survival Plan setting out what they will do in the event of a fire."
Mr Martin said the $25.41 million in funding would help ensure the region's brigades had the training, personal safety gear, equipment and support they needed for their vital work.
"Our volunteers provide vital fire and emergency protection for our community - our residents, businesses and rural property holders," he said.
"The members of the RFS don't volunteer for praise or accolades but I thank each and every one of them for their hard work and dedication to protecting our community."
The 2009/10 $216 million Rural Fire Fighting Fund includes:
- $31.3 million for more than 200 bush fire tankers
- $16 million for new and upgraded brigade stations and fire control centres and the installation of rain water tanks
- $17 million in maintenance grants to local councils
- More than $17 million for bush fire mitigation, including $2 million to help elderly and vulnerable residents reduce their bush fire risk and
- $6 million to boost aerial firefighting resources.
Bush Fire Survival Plans and other information to help residents assess their home's fire risk can be downloaded from the RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Central West RFS shares record $216m bush fire funding (PDF KB)