Two new fire trucks have been delivered to Edinglassie and McCullys Gap Rural Fire Brigades, bringing the total number of new trucks rolled out to the Greater Hunter region since the Black Summer bush fires to 78.
Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell joined Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke today to officially hand over the keys to the two trucks worth a combined $749,000.
“These new trucks will give our volunteers the latest technology to be able to fire fires and keep communities safer than before,” Mr Layzell said.
“Following the devastating Black Summer bush fire season, 78 new trucks have been delivered in a $16.9 million investment in our communities so that volunteer firefighters can be better prepared for threats and communities can be better protected into the future.”
Ms Cooke said more than 400 trucks have been delivered to Rural Fire Brigades across the State since Black Summer.
“These new resources have been provided through the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $105.6 million investment in the Tanker Replacement Program, which was part of the response to the independent Bushfire Inquiry,” Ms Cooke said.
“We are committed to ensuring our emergency services personnel have the best possible vehicles and equipment when responding to emergencies here in the Hunter and across NSW.”
Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Rob Rogers said it is important the latest and safest equipment is provided to volunteer firefighters so they can best serve their communities.
“I am grateful for the support provided by the NSW Government and local councils to the RFS here in the Hunter. They continue to provide our firefighters with the vehicles and equipment they need to safely carry out their duties,” Commissioner Rogers said.
“These men and women remain on-hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we should be extremely proud and grateful for their ongoing contribution.”
PICTURE CAPTION: Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke and Dave Layzell with Edinglassie & McCullys Gap RFS Brigades
