Boost for fire brigades with six new tankers

Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke hands the new truck keys to local RFS rep Michael Boyle.

Six new fire tankers worth $1.7M, have been delivered to Central Coast and Lake Macquarie Rural Fire Service brigades.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke, joined Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, and RFS Commissioner, Rob Rogers, at Charmhaven on Tuesday, May 24 to hand over the keys.

Commissioner Rogers said brigades in the RFS’s Central Coast District respond to around 2,000 incidents each year.

“With a fleet of 108 vehicles, it’s important the newest and safest equipment is provided for our brigades to best serve the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie,” he said.

Lake Munmorah Rural Fire Brigade and Killcare brigade will each receive a Category 9 appliance; Wyee Point RFS will get a Category 1 appliance and a new pumper will go to Cooranbong brigade.

Central Coast Bulk Water will receive a Category 6 appliance, and Brisbane Waters Rural Fire Brigade will get a Category 7 appliance.

“The NSW Government has committed $67.9M to support firefighting tanker replacement and safety retrofits in response to the NSW Bushfire Inquiry following the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires,” Minister Cooke said.

Crouch said the new tankers were greatly welcomed by local brigades.

“Each of the brigades receiving a new truck today plays a vital role in protecting people and property across the 2,400sq km of the Central Coast,” he said.

Verified source: Media release, May 24, 2022, Parliamentary Secretary Central Coast, Adam Crouch