FRONTLINE EMERGENCY SERVICES BOOSTED 

The Emergency Services Authority’s (ESA) capacity to respond to incidents in the Territory has been boosted with the allocation of an additional $17.1 million over four years in the 2005-06 Budget – with $4.5 million allocated this year.

“I’m extremely pleased to be able to deliver the increased funding for the ESA despite the tight budget across the board in the ACT,” said Minister for Police and Emergency Services, John Hargreaves.

“The Canberra community can feel a great sense of safety and security in the fact that the ESA and services will be able to continue to deliver a first class response to all emergencies,” he said.

Funding initiatives in this year’s Budget include:

•	An additional $14.5 million over four years for operation and maintenance of all ESA communication systems
•	A $7.3 million four-year vehicle replacement program including 7 new Intensive Care Ambulances and several new fire fighting appliances.
•	$1.810 million for improved Urban Search and Rescue capability (conditional on agreement with the Commonwealth also funding $1.5 million)
•	$1.210 million for new state-of-the-art cardiac monitor/defibrillators and patient care stretchers for the ACT Ambulance Service
•	$390,000 for repairs and maintenance at ESA facilities including fire and ambulance stations
•	$100,000 per year for the Snowy Hydro SouthCare rescue helicopter

“The primary focus at the ESA over the next year will be to continue to providing the best possible service to the people of Canberra by protecting life, property and the environment,” Mr Hargreaves said.
Statement ends