More than $1 billion for Emergency Services in the 2012-13 budget

Summary

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher says the 2012-13 Budget includes a number of initiatives to improve community safety and to continue strengthening the resources and capabilities of New South Wales' Emergency Services.

"The Strategic Disaster Readiness Package, designed to help the State Emergency Service (SES) prepare for, prevent and respond to flood and storm events, has been allocated $19 million as part of $96 million over five years," Mr Gallacher said.

"This commitment will ensure the SES has the vital resources and capabilities to serve and support community's right across NSW into the future.

"The Government's commitment to hazard reduction programs continues in this Budget with $35 million allocated. "Furthermore, today's Budget commits a further $22 million to the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program and the Natural Disaster Resilience Program.

"Work will continue to upgrade the Rural Fire Service's private mobile radio and paging network with $16 million allocated to ensure volunteer fire fighters have the latest and most reliable communication capabilities.

"$15 million has been set aside in this Budget for the Personal Protective Clothing Replacement Program, to ensure NSW fire fighters uniforms meet new Australian Safety standards.

"We have allocated $10 million to maintain a state-wide aerial fire fighting and support capability.

"The NSW Government has committed $3.8 million for Fire and Rescue NSW to enhance communications equipment, education and training equipment and firefighting equipment.

"$6.3 million has been set aside for the Emergency Alert System which allows the Government to issue warning messages to a landline or mobile phones along with $2.3 million to continue the Prepare, Act, Survive public awareness campaign.

"This Government is committed to ensuring the safety of our public through enhancing the capabilities of our emergency service personnel," Minister Gallacher concluded.

Contact Name: Tess Salmon (Minister's Office)

Contact Phone: 0467 740 017