New logistics hub strengthens bush fire preparations

The Minns Labor Government today officially opened the NSW Rural Fire Service's (RFS) new State Logistics Warehouse at Marsden Park, strengthening emergency response capability and frontline support across the state.

The 17,000 sqm facility in Western Sydney will serve as the central logistics hub for the RFS, with capacity to support other emergency services during major incidents.

The warehouse stores and distributes essential supplies including basecamp infrastructure, personal protective equipment and critical logistics resources used during bush fires, storms and floods.

It will play a key role in sustaining large-scale, multi-agency operations across NSW and acts as the homebase for mitigation crews conducting hazard reduction across Greater Sydney.

As the weather improves for planned hazard reduction, burns will be undertaken with land managers and partner agencies. These works form part of a year-round approach to community safety, recognising there is no true off-season when it comes to bush fire risk.

The opening of the new facility comes as the RFS continues to modernise its fleet and technology capability across the state.

Over the past year, 133 new and 53 refurbished firefighting tankers have been delivered to brigades. Most new trucks have been deployed to regional areas, with the state's west receiving the largest uplift over the last 12 months.

More than a dozen additional trucks are being prepared for delivery to brigades this month.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib was joined by RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin at the warehouse to inspect the latest batch of trucks ahead of their delivery to brigades including West Windouran, Tantonan and Emery.

The Minns Labor Government is investing over $2.2 billion in emergency services this year, uplifting capability and boosting resources across NSW.

These investments continue the NSW Government's implementation of key recommendations from the 2020 NSW Bush Fire Inquiry, including modernising the RFS fleet and investing in infrastructure that enhances operational readiness and firefighter safety.

Deputy Premier, Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Londonderry Prue Car said:

"This facility is part of the Minns Labor Government's investment to boost the capability of the RFS and strengthening emergency response across the state.

"Having this facility serving as the central hub for the RFS, serving the state from the heart of Western Sydney, will ensure firefighters have access to the equipment and supplies they need during emergencies.

"Better resources for our firefighters and volunteers means more support for them when they're keeping our communities safe."

Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said:

"As we approach the end of this bush fire season, our focus immediately shifts to preparation for the next. This new expanded logistics facility ensures our volunteers and partner agencies have rapid access to the equipment and supplies they need to respond to emergencies across NSW.

"We are strengthening frontline capability through modern vehicles, improved technology and infrastructure that helps improve our response to natural disasters.

"It has been a busy bush fire season for Rural Fire Service volunteers who have responded to more than 7,100 fires and I thank them for their efforts keeping communities safe across NSW."

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin said:

"The Marsden Park facility, twice the size of our previous warehouse, significantly enhances our ability to deploy and sustain operations across the state.

"The Service's expanding logistics capability allows us to support NSW communities through complex and prolonged incidents, while also deploying interstate to assist during major fire, flood and storm events.

"As we move into hazard reduction operations, this warehouse will play a critical role in supporting crews on the ground."