Gosnells emergency services have received new firefighting and rescue vehicles as part of a $2.2 million State Government investment.
This is aimed at improving response during bushfires, storms and other emergencies.
As bushfire season and extreme weather continue to place pressure on emergency services across Perth’s south-east, the new fleet is expected to play a key role in keeping local communities safe.
Five new appliances were officially handed over at the Gosnells Emergency Operations Centre, placing the suburb at the centre of a major upgrade to emergency response capability across Perth’s south-east.
The new fleet includes two 3.4 urban tankers, two light tankers and a general rescue utility, which will support both career and volunteer crews responding to incidents across urban fringe and hills communities.
Gosnells State Emergency Service received a new general rescue utility valued at about $150, 000. The vehicle is fitted with four-wheel-drive capability, a long-range fuel tank and additional lighting, allowing volunteers to respond to emergencies including severe storms, flooding, search and rescue operations and other weather-related incidents.
Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said emergency crews in the south-east metropolitan region had already experienced busy start to the year, responding to incidents including bushfires and severe weather.
“Emergency services in this region have had an extremely busy start to the year, with many giving up their holiday plans to protect their community at the frontline,” he said.
“Severe storms that tore roofs off homes in the hills last year prove that volunteers play a critical role in keeping people safe across all emergencies.”
Two 3.4 urban tankers, valued at $1.4 million, were allocated to the Serpentine Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and Cardup Career Fire and Rescue Service. Each tanker is purpose-built for bushfire response, carrying 3,600 litres of water and 60 litres of foam, with enhanced crew protection and capacity for six firefighters.
Light tankers valued at approximately $305,000 were delivered to Kensington Career Fire AND Rescue Service and the Roleystone/Karragullen Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade. The appliances are designed for fast response and improved off-road capability, with updated safety features.
Cannington MLA Ron Sao said the new appliances would directly benefit communities such as Gosnells, where emergency services play an important role year-round.
“It’s already been a busy year for our volunteer and career firefighters, and this investment ensures local crews have the tools they need to keep residents safe,” he said.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services South East Metropolitan region include six career and four volunteer fire stations, six SES units and 11 local government-managed bush fire brigades. Crew across the region have already attended 355 incidents this year.
The investment is to ensure local emergency services are better equipped to respond quickly and safely as communities across Perth’s south-east face ongoing bushfire and severe weather risks.
