5/5/2001
For the first time a career fire service has been established in the Mandurah region.
Opening the new $1.2 million fire station, Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts said the facility would provide for both career and volunteer firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Service.
"For the last 33 years the fire and rescue service in Mandurah has totally relied on volunteer firefighters, but with the opening of this new station the local community is now being protected by both the career and volunteer firefighters," Mrs Roberts said.
The Minister said the new station provided Mandurah, one of Western Australia's fastest growing cities, with the latest in fire and rescue equipment.
"Mandurah has received an outstanding commitment from the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service since it was formed in 1967, but the growth of the community in this region has placed an increasing strain on the capacity of volunteers," she said.
"The local population of 47,000 increases dramatically over weekends due to attractions such as crabbing, fishing and the local waterways and foreshores. A vast number of vehicles also moves through the area to tourist destinations to the South, bringing greater risk of road accidents."
Mrs Roberts said in the last five years the number of incidents the volunteer firefighters had attended had steadily increased, to more than 400 in this financial year alone.
"These include structural fires and bush fires, road crash rescue incidents, hazardous material incidents and special service calls," she said.
"One night in particular, volunteer firefighters attended three house fires in the Mandurah, Falcon area. Overall the volunteers on call that night each put in nine hours - and that is on top of their normal working day."
Mrs Roberts said that such a large number of incidents demanded a great deal of volunteer hours - and placed an undue strain on the volunteers, their families and employers.
The new fire station at the corner of Panton Road and Cumberland Street, Greenfields, to the east of the city centre, had co-located facilities for the permanent firefighters who would staff the station round the clock, as well as the volunteer crew who would remain on standby as in the past.
The total complement of career firefighters at the new station would be five station officers, 12 firefighters and three relief firefighters. At all times there would be a permanent staff of at least four firefighters.
"These facilities have been constructed to serve the Mandurah and surrounding community well into the 21st century,"
Mrs Roberts said.
"It is most appropriate that after such dedicated service the volunteer firefighters have modern new premises, including a large training room and gym area."
Mrs Roberts said the appointment of career staff in Mandurah had enabled the Gazetted Fire District to be expanded to include the Madora Bay area, which was previously covered by the North Mandurah Bush Fire Brigade.
"The North Mandurah Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade has provided a fire service to the community for many years," she said.
"Now that a permanent crew will cover that territory, members of the North Mandurah Bush Fire Brigade will continue to provide an invaluable service to the region by transferring to other bush fire brigades within the City of Mandurah.
"They also deserve the community's thanks for their commitment and effort over many years."
Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600
