No. 43

$644,000 FOR ACT RFS TRAINING  

The skill level of the ACT’s Rural Fire Service volunteers will be increased as part of the ACT Government’s commitment to emergency services with additional funding for training provided in this year’s Budget.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Simon Corbell today announced that $644,000 would be provided for a variety of training opportunities for ACT RFS volunteer firefighters.

“The ability to maintain a highly-trained volunteer workforce capable of responding rapidly and safely to bushfire remains a key component of the ACT RFS strategy to minimise the impacts of bushfire in the Territory,” he said.

“The training is primarily focussed on volunteers, and the provision and maintenance of their skills,” he said.

“Additional higher skilled, experienced and qualified fire fighters who can perform specialist fire fighting tasks including command and control functions, remote area fire fighting and aerial fire suppression will be available to be called in to support a large fire response.”

The new training will cover a number of areas particularly incident control, across ESA, and remote area fire fighting. This supports ESA-funded programs in the areas of fire management techniques, chainsaw operation, leadership and skills maintenance for aerial training.

“The Government recognises the key role our volunteer fire fighters play in keeping the ACT community safe,” Mr Corbell said.

“This is also one of the recommendations from the Coronial Inquiry into the January 2003 bushfires. That’s why it’s important our volunteers are given every opportunity to develop their skills to ensure the best possible defence from any bushfire threat in the future.

“The allocation of a special ACT RFS training budget will also allow for more ESA training funds to be redirected towards for ACT SES volunteers who play a vital support role during bushfires. 

“This funding confirms the ACT Government’s continued commitment to providing our frontline emergency services personnel with the training they require to help keep the ACT community protected.”