Far West NSW RFS shares record bushfire funding
22nd October 2009Ministerial media release
Volunteer brigades in the State's Far West will benefit from almost $9 million in funding for local Rural Fire Service districts 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 Murray Darling electorate would share $8.86 million from the record $216 million Rural Fire Fighting Fund.
"Our fire authorities are well prepared for this bush fire season, which could be one of the worst we have faced for some years.
"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," Mr Whan said.
Duty MLC for Murray Darling Tony Catanzariti said: "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," he said.
Mr Whan said the $8.86 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 residents, businesses and rural property holders in this vast region of the State's Far West," 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."
Mr Whan said the 2009/10 $216 million Rural Fire Fighting Fund included:
- $31.3 million for more than 200 bushfire 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 bushfire mitigation, including $2 million to help elderly and vulnerable residents reduce their bushfire 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
Far West NSW RFS shares record bushfire funding (PDF 47KB)