Emergency Service Organisations at Onslow will now be housed under a new roof

30/6/99
Emergency Services organisations at Onslow will now be housed under a new $760,000 roof.
Governor Major General Michael Jeffery AC AO (MIL) MC today officially opened the Onslow Volunteer Emergency Services building, which will accommodate the State Emergency Service, Fire and Rescue Service and Bush Fire Service.
Emergency Services Minister Kevin Prince, who accompanied the Governor on a visit to Onslow and Exmouth today, said the new facility received funding from the Shire of Ashburton, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and Lotteries Commission of WA.
Construction of the building, on the corner of Hooley and McGrath Avenues, began earlier this year. Stage two of the project, which will include a cyclone evacuation centre, will begin when funding arrangements have been finalised.
"It has been apparent to both local authorities and the State Government for some time that there was a clear need for a proper emergency service facility and evacuation centre in Onslow," the Minister said.
"This stretch of coastline is prone to severe cyclonic conditions which places the community at high risk of personal injury and structural and flood damage.
"The new Emergency Services building will provide volunteers with the proper facilities and skills required to adequately protect their community in the event of a bushfire, cyclone, flood or other natural disaster."
Prior to Cyclone Bobby, which ravaged Onslow and claimed the lives of seven fishermen in February 1995, the Bush Fire Service was the only operational emergency service in the town.
It was located in a small tin shed.
The Onslow SES Unit was formed in May 1997 and now includes 20 volunteers led by local co-ordinator Mike Mackay.
The group has received training in cyclone damage response, communications, air observation, first aid and land search and it recently spent more than 1,600 hours cleaning up after Cyclone Vance severely affected the area in March.
In 1998, the Onslow Volunteer Fire and Rescue Brigade was established and now includes 14 members, who are also members of the Bush Fire Service. They have been trained in vehicle rescue, use of breathing apparatus, hazardous materials, combat and basic firefighting.
The brigade took delivery of a general-purpose fire appliance last year.
"The formation of both organisations and this facility is a credit not only to the local community but the foresight of police officers Charlie Moylan and Gordon Armstrong, who also made provision for a Volunteer Sea Search and Rescue team," Mr Prince said.
"The community of Onslow is now properly equipped to deal with a range of natural disasters and it should be very proud of the fact that it is leading the State in providing for a new co-ordinated approach to Emergency Services."
Media contact: Chris Morris 9321 2222