Martin: $620 000 fire engines for Bathurst and Lithgow regions
Published: 14th August 2006
Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin today welcomed the arrival of two new fire engines to be used at the NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) Wallerawang and Portland Fire Stations.
Mr Martin said the NSW Government had funded the engines, worth $310,000 each, which are designed to respond to emergencies in regional NSW.
"The new fire engines at Portland and Wallerawang are part of a major investment by the Iemma Government in the Bathurst and Lithgow areas to improve fire protection," Mr Martin said.
"It means fire crews will get to emergencies faster and be more effective and this could save lives and properties," Mr Martin said.
"This includes the construction of a new multi-million dollar fire station at Bathurst.
"Portland and Wallerawang fire stations respond to a wide range of emergencies including building, grass and bush fires, car accidents and dangerous chemical spills and it is vital that the firefighters have the best equipment to deal with these incidents.
"They protect residential populations, local schools, churches, the local mining industry, power stations, waterways and motorists.
Mr Martin said the new fire engines are part of the largest roll out of new and upgraded fire engines in NSWFB history.
NSW Government funding for 238 fire engines was allocated between 1999 and 2003, including 168 for fire stations in rural and regional NSW.
"A further 145 engines are being progressively funded between 2003 and 2007 - the total value of the fleet upgrade over this entire eight-year period is more than $144 million," he said.
He said local firefighters have received comprehensive training on the new engines - including detailed demonstrations on its operation, driving assessments and individual familiarisation checks.