Funding win for firies
The Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) has welcomed this morning’s announcement of additional funding, which will help build the capacity of the RFS to better support volunteer firefighters and the community.
“This is a great result for our members, and recognises the extraordinary work they do to protect the community,” RFSA President Brian McDonough said.
“The mental health impact of the work our members do is substantial, particularly following the unprecedented conditions we experienced last summer. The introduction of a new first responder mental health strategy has real promise to improve the wellbeing of volunteer firefighters.
“There is also a significant funding commitment to ensure that all frontline firefighters will be issued with two sets of personal protective clothing. While this has been a long time coming, we’re thrilled with the result,” Mr McDonough said.
“Not everything that was funded today involved significant dollars, but it will contribute to supporting our members, and ultimately to protecting the community. For example, the provision of UHF radios will allow firefighters to communicate and coordinate better with farmers and other rural landholders, and the trial of ration packs will help sustain crews during long shifts on the fireground.
“We’ve had a productive relationship with the government for some time, and are delighted to see them making this commitment to support our members.
“While those discussions will continue, and there is still more to do, the additional funding announced today is a great win for volunteer firefighters across the state,” Mr McDonough concluded.
The NSW government’s funding announcement of $192.2 million over five years includes:
- $36 million for a new first responder mental health strategy for emergency services
- $23 million in additional personal protective clothing for frontline firefighters
- $8.3 million extension of an integrated dispatch system for the NSW RFS
- $9.5 million for the delivery of a strategic fire trail network
- $5.4 million enhancements to the RFS aerial fleet and training facilities
- $2.5 million improvements to NSW RFS’s Fires Near Me app
- $2.85 million to deliver critical equipment for 31 multi-agency Emergency Operations Centres
- $1.5 million for UHF radios on 2,000 priority appliances
- $0.5 million in 2020/21 for a food safety review, including a trial of ration packs.