$10 million infrastructure upgrades to support our emergency volunteers

The Rockliff Liberal Government will invest $10 million to upgrade TFES volunteer infrastructure, including $2 million to upgrade the SES vehicle fleet. 

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said the Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to investing in contemporary infrastructure to support our dedicated SES and TFS emergency services throughout Tasmania. 

“We know how critical it is to equip our volunteer fire and emergency workers with the infrastructure they need to do what they do best – protecting Tasmanians,” Minister Ellis said. 

“Today we are joined by the SES on the North-West Coast to showcase one of the upgraded vehicles as part of our commitment to supporting emergency services through infrastructure investments. 

“The new vehicles are custom-designed and fabricated by DPFEM’s talented Engineering and Fleet Services in Cambridge to suit the needs of the SES responders to provide first class rescue services to the region. 

“Upgrading the SES vehicle fleet was identified as a priority in consultation with SES and TFS volunteers and this investment is assisting with fleet modernisation. 

“SES volunteers primarily provide on-the-ground support in emergencies such as flood and storm, and these upgrades will allow our members to continue to provide that support.  

“By upgrading the SES vehicle fleet, the Rockliff Liberal Government is ensuring our members have access to the best possible vehicles and equipment that allows them to continue helping our community when in need and supporting our emergency service partners. 

“There are more than 5400 SES and TFS volunteers who provide a critical response to a broad range of emergency situations including storm and severe weather events, floods, structure fires, bushfires, search and rescue and road crashes. 

“This is also why the Tasmanian Liberal Government has released a draft Tasmania Fire and Emergency Services Bill that contains the most significant reforms in 44 years for our Fire and Emergency Services.   

“This includes significant investment to combine TFS and SES volunteers under the one banner and establishing a sustainable state-wide funding model to ensure that our volunteers have the facilities they need to keep Tasmanians safe.”     

Minister Ellis said the Tasmanian community is incredibly grateful to our emergency volunteers for their generosity and dedication to keeping Tasmanians safe and protecting lives.