Mandurah MP David Templeman has welcomed the Department of Fire and Emergency’s new Rural Fire Division saying it will deliver an unprecedented level of mitigation investment and strengthen community safety.
Mr Templeman said the new division, which addresses issues raised in the Waroona Bushfire Special Inquiry, will bring the best in bushfire management together to spread their knowledge with Peel volunteers.
The division will also give volunteers the opportunity to have greater input in training and bushfire management.
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A record investment in mitigation activities would also help to reduce bushfire risks in the area.
“Many bushfire volunteers over time have told me that they want greater collaboration with emergency services and more effort put into mitigation,” Mr Templeman said.
“The Rural Fire Division will deliver on those needs.
“This is the first time this State has had such a strong and collaborative commitment towards managing and fighting bushfire risk and I am proud to be a part of the McGowan Labor Government that has led this charge.
“The community of Mandurah and Peel know that our emergency service volunteers do a fantastic job and the creation of Volunteer Support Officers to help them with administrative duties will be warmly welcomed.
“Our electorate faces some significant bushfire risks and our government’s record investment in mitigation efforts will help us identify and treat those risks.”
Mr Templeman said the Rural Fire Division had been well thought through and would not change how local Bush Fire Brigades worked with local governments in responding to bushfires.
He said the new division would provide greater support for volunteers through dedicated training and input into bushfire management and attempt to reduce major fires through greater targeted mitigation work.
“Our volunteers have a strong identity in our community and this new division has been structured to ensure that they will continue to operate as they have,” he said.
“But under the Rural Fire Division there will be greater supported with the latest in bushfire science, training and feedback opportunities.
“The challenges we face in an ever-drying climate are significant, but by working together and with a new division dedicated to bushfire management, we can greatly increase our efforts at addressing them.”
