Elders Emms Mooney – Above

RFS Command Centre Unveiled

Written by: The Cowra Phoenix

Acr1142354188736-3223012
IMAGE: Minister For Emergency Services Steph Cooke officially opens the new RFS Command Centre in Cowra last week.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke officially opened the new $5 million NSW Rural Fire Service Area Command Centre, air base and brigade station at Cowra last Wednesday.

RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers and Cowra Mayor Bill West joined the Minister to open the new colocated Area Command Centre and Waugoola Rural Fire Brigade Station, and hand over five new fire tankers, worth almost $1 million, to local volunteers.

The new facility, in the Cowra Airport Precinct, includes an office for Area Command staff, a warehouse to securely store essential equipment, an air base and the Waugoola Rural Fire Brigade Station.

Minister Cooke said the new facility would significantly increase fire safety in the region and help keep local communities safe.

“The RFS members who operate from these facilities are valued members of their communities. They are local people making local decisions to protect life and property year round,” she said. Commissioner Rogers said the Area Command Centre would accommodate staff supporting almost 450 volunteer brigades across the RFS Western Area Command, which stretches from Lithgow to Wilcannia and Harden to Brewarrina, and covers more than 65 per cent of NSW.

“The airbase will provide us with enhanced capability for deploying aircraft as needed during emergencies across the west of the state,” Commissioner Rogers said

“This excellent new multipurpose facilities and equipment are greatly welcomed by the local staff, volunteers and the communities they serve.”

The Minister of-ficially handed the keys over to a $356,000 tanker to the Waugoola 1 Brigade, a $214,000 tanker to each of the Gap 7 and Woodstock 7 Brigades, and a $204,000 tanker to each of the Darby Falls 7 and Wattamondara 7 Brigades.

AGRI

Stay Connected

    Subscribe
    Get in Contact

Cowra News to your inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from the Cowra Area direct to your inbox.

Club Cowra