No. 41

major surge to 
emergency services capability and Resources 

Emergency services in the ACT has received a major boost in this year’s Budget with capital funding of $9 million over four years for a raft of new resources and initiatives aimed at supporting frontline emergency services personnel in the ACT, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Simon Corbell announced today.

“This Budget is a fantastic outcome for ACT emergency services workers and volunteers and the ACT community,” Mr Corbell said.

The emergency services funding initiatives announced today include:
•	$6.5 million fire vehicle replacement program;
•	$718,000 for four new ambulance vehicles, including a specially designed bariatric ambulance for the transport of morbidly obese patients;
•	$4.187 million over four years for 16 additional ambulance staff;
•	$226,000 for 10 additional Community Fire Units and a further $193,000 over four years for ongoing volunteer training and maintenance;
•	$572,000 for the purchase of new ‘Jaws of Life’ for the ACT Fire Brigade; and
•	$1.597 million for improved bushfire readiness by the implementation of agreed outstanding Bushfire Coronial recommendations including:
•	$152,000 for the ACT Bushfire Council to monitor and report on the implementation of Bushfire Coronial recommendations; and
•	$894,000 for training of Remote Area Firefighting teams, incident control system and heavy vehicle driving training.

“The funding of 16 extra ambulance staff and four additional vehicles is the single biggest investment in the ACT Ambulance Service by an ACT Government for at least five years,” Mr Corbell said. 

“The $6.5 million fire vehicle replacement program will accelerate the replacement of a large number of the older ACT Rural Fire Service fleet. The ACT Fire Brigade will also benefit from the fire vehicle replacement program as well as new road rescue and thermal imaging equipment, and personal protective clothing.

“An additional ten Community Fire Units will further enhance the Territory’s defence against the threat of bushfires. Our ACT RFS and ACT SES volunteers will also benefit from initiatives including upgrading of their sheds and a range of training opportunities.

“The safety of the ACT community is paramount. This Budget demonstrates the ACT Government’s continued commitment to community safety and our emergency services personnel.”