11/2/96
The fire rescue service in Western Australia's fast-growing northern corridor will be more efficient with the establishment of a new fire station at Joondalup, according to Emergency Services Minister Bob Wiese.
Opening the Western Australian Fire Brigades Board station today, Mr Wiese said it had been strategically placed between the Neerabup national park and Lake Joondalup to ensure an optimum response time over the whole district.
"The location of a fire station is crucial when travelling time can dictate a life or death outcome and the Joondalup station will provide a fast and efficient service to safeguard the local community," he said.
Mr Wiese said the new facility cost $1.2 million to build and equip the fire fighters with the necessary apparatus and machinery to handle a wide range of emergencies, including above and below ground rescues, managing hazardous and toxic materials and assisting car crash victims.
With an annual operation cost of $1 million the Joondalup station will be serviced with a medium pumper, a medium tanker and a light tanker and will be staffed 24 hours a day.
Mr Wiese said the Coalition Government was committed to ensuring that the WAFBB provided an efficient and effective service. Funds for the capital works program this year had been increased by $11.4 million to $17.8 million and included programs for another six new stations.
He said a key objective of the WAFBB was to minimise the number of fire emergencies and their impact with informative and educational programs on prevention and hazard reduction.
"This is being achieved by increasing community awareness and encouraging active participation in fire prevention," the Minister said.
"The onus is on everyone to take responsibility to prevent a fire disaster and a major step is for people to take the initiative and report fires to the proper authorities so they can be dealt with quickly.
"These programs are crucial in areas like the Joondalup region which consists of a high proportion of residential developments alongside large tracts of bush and forest."
Mr Wiese said the continued partnership and co-operation of WA's fire fighting services - WAFBB, Bush Fires Board, Conservation and Land Management and the State Emergency Service - was vital in providing the level of fire protection the community needed in developing areas around the metropolitan area.
Media contact: Mark Thompson 322 2311
