Fire and Rescue services on the Central Coast are set to be enhanced by a $1.8M refurbishment of Umina fire station and the acquisition of a new million-dollar rescue truck, to be stationed at nearby Gosford.
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib visited Umina fire station recently to check out the refurbishment.
It will include upgraded facilities for the station’s 36 firefighters and the introduction of designated protection zones in line with Fire & Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW) Clean Fire Station Program.
This will reduce exposure to potentially contaminated material which can be brought back to stations from fires and emergency scenes.
Other upgrades will include: the creation of new rest areas; separation of work and living spaces; upgraded storage; a new gym supporting staff health and wellbeing; new toilet and shower facilities; and new male and female locker rooms.
The works are expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, at Gosford, crews are set to welcome a new Rescue Pumper, a truck specially designed in consultation with firefighters.
Valued at more than $900,000, the truck will provide Central Coast communities with an enhanced rescue capability.
It also has updated storage allowing firefighters easier access to their most used tools, vastly improving operational response times.
The NSW Government is investing an additional $17M over two years into the renewal of the state’s firefighting fleet.
The investment will deliver more than 15 new fire trucks to replace ageing vehicles, with initial funding part of a $98.7M capital program over the next year which also funds new and upgraded fire stations.
Dib said the refurbishment at Umina would bring the station in line with modern standards and ensure a safe, clean work environment for firefighters.
“Gosford’s new fire truck will enhance response times and provide protection for Central Coast communities for years to come,” he said.
Tesch said as the region’s population grew, it was important that the capacity of emergency services also expanded.
“The refurbishments at Umina are significant and the changes will be very much welcomed by Central Coast communities,” she said.
“Our local firefighters serve our community every day, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect our community.
“Along with Gosford’s new truck, Umina’s modern and safety-focused upgrades showcases the Government’s commitment to putting the wellbeing of local firefighters serving the community front and centre.”
FRNSW Acting Commissioner Paul McGuiggan said firefighter input had been sought to ensure the facilities and new equipment suited their needs.
“These upgrades will ensure we’re prepared for anything here on the Central Coast,” he said.
FRNSW Acting Area Commander Matthew Waldon said Umina Fire Station was last upgraded in 2001 when it was converted from an indoor sports centre.
