- New equipment means faster extraction of crash victims
- Made possible by $626,600 from the Road Trauma Trust Account
New road crash rescue equipment for emergency response crews will help save lives, reduce injuries and ensure people receive critical care sooner.
Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis and Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey today announced the rollout of specialised heavy rescue equipment to key locations across Western Australia.
Road crash rescue units across the State will also receive lightweight rescue tools powered by lithium ion technology.
Mr Francis said the state-of-the-art equipment would allow firefighters to extract road crash victims more quickly and with less chance of injury.
The Minister said the Department of Fire and Emergency Services attended more than 2,200 road crashes in the past four years, including 750 in regional and remote areas.
"Road crashes can occur in any location across the State, so it is vital rescuers are well-equipped. These tools will save lives," Mr Francis said.
Mrs Harvey said the equipment upgrade was made possible by the Road Trauma Trust Account which was funded by speed and red light camera fines.
The Minister said the new equipment would contribute to improved road trauma outcomes.
"The new equipment will enable emergency responders to extract crash victims more quickly and comfortably, reducing the risk of critical injury," Mrs Harvey said.
"This year the Liberal National Government has allocated a record $111 million from the Road Trauma Trust Account towards road safety initiatives like this."
Fact File
- The heavy rescue air cache project will upgrade the Department of Fire and Emergency Services' current Perth-based cache with more modern equipment and strategically position four additional caches in Albany, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Karratha
- The lithium ion tool expansion program will provide a suite of lithium ion power tools to all 155 road crash rescue enabled vehicles throughout WA
- The new lithium ion tools include reciprocating saws, impact wrenches, impact drivers and small disc cutters
Emergency Services Minister's office - 6552 6500
Road Safety Minister's office - 6552 5900
