Central Coast firefighters will be better prepared for future emergency events, with access to $3M worth of world-class practice props now available at FRNSW’s Emergency Services Academy in Western Sydney.
Minister for Transport, David Elliott, said Transport for NSW has worked with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) to a recreate a station and a 115-metre section of track so first responders from all over the state can fine-tune their response to rail accidents and rescues, mass-casualty and medical incidents, and chemical attacks.
“The training props, which include a train carriage, railway station and level crossing, are critical training resources which will be used by other NSW emergency services and first responders as well the Australian Defence Force, Endeavour Energy, the Fire Protection Association and interstate emergency service counterparts,” he said.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke, said the specially sourced and custom-built assets will give firefighters the edge.
“These life-like props bring our firefighters as close to real situations as possible in a controlled environment, helping them build the confidence, skills and understanding to respond when an emergency strikes,” Cooke said.
“This multi-million dollar investment cements NSW as a world leader in teaching and upskilling first responders and specialist response teams.”
FRNSW Commissioner, Paul Baxter, said the expanded Emergency Services Academy training environment will improve the abilities of firefighters and those they work alongside, helping them better protect communities.
“This investment really reinforces that we’re prepared for not only the emergencies occurring today, but also the challenges which may confront us in the future,” he said.
As well as the simulated train track, the training equipment also includes a single-storey four-bedroom house … to allow firefighters to refresh their fire safety awareness, practice response to residential structure fires and indoor rescues, and gain exposure to regulated sprinkler systems.
A heat management system has also been installed in an existing training tower to allow firefighters to experience an environment with similar temperatures and conditions to those of a structure fire, with props also available to help train for pumping and draughting and electrical safety.
Source:
Media release, Oct 10
NSW Government