Kimberley emergency services boosted with $7.2 million investment

• New Halls Creek fire station strengthens volunteer response capability in East Kimberley
• Volunteer groups in the Kimberley receive keys to three new appliances
• Cook Labor Government investment keeping Western Australia's most isolated communities safe

Communities across the Kimberley will benefit from new state-of-the-art emergency services assets, including a modern fire station for one of Western Australia's most remote brigades.

Volunteers in the region will also welcome three additional appliances to enhance emergency response capability on land and at sea.

Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia and Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm travelled to the Kimberley this week after work on the Halls Creek Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service (VFES) facility was completed.

The replacement station, which cost $5.8 million, will ensure the brigade provides an enhanced emergency response to geographically isolated communities.

During their visit, Marine Rescue Broome officially launched their new 9.8-metre rescue vessel, while Hamlet Grove Bush Fire Brigade (BFB) and Broome State Emergency Service (SES) received keys to a new 2.4 broadacre tanker and general rescue utility.

The new Halls Creek station is fitted with four significantly larger drive-through appliance bays, a large multipurpose training and meeting room, offices, a dedicated personal protection equipment room, breathing apparatus washroom and alfresco and dining area.

It will complement the structural firefighting tunics and next generation light tanker worth $249,000 delivered by the State Government four years ago.

The new 9.8-metre Ibis III for Marine Rescue Broome replaces the 7.7-metre Ibis II, allowing for rapid deployment by launching directly from the beach without reliance on trailers or boat ramps.

The $825,000 vessel will significantly improve response times and is equipped with the latest navigation, communications, and search equipment.

Hamlet Grove BFB volunteers not only respond to bushfires in their local area but assist brigades in surrounding areas. The 2.4 broadacre tanker, valued at $433,000, will complement the brigade's light tanker.

The new general rescue utility for Broome SES, valued at approximately $153,000, will help the unit's community-driven members in their responses to storms, floods, cyclones, and vertical rescues and provision of land search and fire support in the region.

Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:

"The State Government plays a key role in providing modern, functional spaces and advanced appliances to emergency service volunteers who donate their time to keep our communities safe.

"The replacement station will empower volunteers in Halls Creek to do what they do best - protect Kimberley communities.

"This funding allows for improved emergency response capability in the Kimberley across a range of hazards and assets that will be valuable to the community for many years to come."

Comments attributed to Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:

"The Halls Creek Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service has met a variety of emergency services challenges, and the replacement facility will help volunteers overcome the challenges ahead.

"This facility not only enhances the safety of the community, but it supports and assists the Halls Creek volunteers who have attended more than 360 incidents over the past three years.

"Fire and emergency services in the Kimberley do a magnificent job on land and water and it is important they have the resources they need to keep communities safe."