Funding of $8.1 million to support Tablelands volunteer fire fighters

Station upgrades and new vehicles are included in $8.1 million state government funding for Rural Fire Service Districts in the Northern Tablelands
MP Richard Torbay welcomed the funding to support the hundreds of local volunteer fire-fighters who give their time and expertise to keep the community safe.
Big ticket items in this year’s grants include $20,000 each towards station upgrades at Glencoe, Mt Mitchell, Kings Plains and Wallangra.
The New England Fire Control Centre will receive $235,000 and the Steinbrook Brigade near Tenterfield has been allocated $120,000 towards a new station.
Vehicle allocations include
· $ 248,000 for New Category 1 Pumper for a Brigade in the Gwydir Local Government Area.
· $145,000 for a new Category 7 Pumper for a Brigade in the Inverell Local Government Area.
· $145,000 for a new Category 7 Pumper for a Brigade in the Glen Innes Severn Local Government Area
· $102,000 for a Category 9 Striker for a Brigade in the New England Zone
Mr Torbay said the funding would also help the region’s brigades with the training, personal safety gear, equipment and support they needed for their vital work.
“New national Fire Danger Ratings, including the new categories of severe, extreme and catastrophic, and bush fire warning systems are now in place,” he said.
"Residents are being advised to take these Ratings into consideration when they put together a Bush Fire Survival Plan, setting out what they will do in the event of a fire.”