Emergency Services benefit from NSW Budget
Published Date: 17 Jun 2014
Summary
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has allocated over $1.14 billion to the four Emergency Services agencies in the 2014-15 Budget, ensuring personnel have the support they need to keep our communities safe.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Stuart Ayres said the Budget includes $46.2 million in additional funding over four years for local government capital grants to support Rural Fire Service infrastructure.
"An extra $31.8 million in funding over four years has been committed to improve Rural Fire Service public information systems, expand its Rapid Aerial Response capability, enhance bushfire behaviour analysis, and for other community safety programs," Mr Ayres said.
$15.7 million will be spent on new and continuing works for building and refurbishing Fire and Rescue NSW fire stations across the State.
"Our hard working firefighters will soon enjoy state of the art facilities in locations such as Port Macquarie, Rutherford, Picton, South Windsor and Pyrmont," he said.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has also committed $17.7 million in 2014-15 to replace essential firefighting vehicles for Fire & Rescue NSW. $28.6 million has been allocated for the Strategic Disaster Readiness package, as part of the $96 million committed in 2012-13.
"This funding ensures the NSW State Emergency Service volunteers have vital resources and capabilities to help prevent and respond to flood and storm events," Mr Ayres said.
Other highlights include:
- $18.2 million on Natural Disaster Mitigation Program and Natural Disaster Resilience Program grants
- Nearly $1 million over two years to implement an Interagency Electronic Messaging System, which will allow peer-to-peer electronic communication between the NSW State Emergency Service and other public safety organisations.
