No. 41

$3 MILLION FOR NEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES

Emergency Services will purchase a number of new emergency response vehicles following a $3 million allocation in the 2006-07 Budget, Minister For Police and Emergency Services Simon Corbell announced today.

“Updating our emergency response vehicles is vital to maintaining a first rate emergency service response for the ACT community,” Mr Corbell said.

“This budget initiative will ensure that Emergency Services operates with some of the most advanced equipment available today.”

The new vehicles to be purchased are:
•	1 x Aerial Fire fighting Appliance – ACT Fire Brigade 
•	1 x Heavy Fire rescue pumper – ACT Fire Brigade
•	2 x Intensive Care Ambulances – ACT Ambulance Service 
•	1 x Super Heavy Tanker – ACT Rural Fire Service
•	1 x Lighting Tower vehicle – ACT State Emergency Service

Procurement processes for the above new vehicles will begin in the next few months.

The two Intensive Care Ambulances will be added to the six new ones funded by the Stanhope Government in the 2005-06 Budget taking the total number to eight.

The fire appliances will add to the fire fighting fleet of the ACT Fire Brigade and ACT Rural Fire Service.

The Lighting Tower vehicle will be deployed by the ACT State Emergency Service at operational incidents where lighting is required.
 
“The men and women who make up our emergency services staff and volunteers in the ACT are among some of the best in the country, so it’s only fitting they be given the most modern vehicles to do their jobs,” Mr Corbell said.

“This also ensures the best protection for the ACT community.”