- Cook Government invests $250,000 on appliance for Lancelin's emergency volunteers
- New light tanker improves incident response to bushfires and rescues
- Volunteer input in the design of the new tanker to boost safety
The Cook Government has upgraded emergency services resources along the Turquoise Coast with the delivery of a new light tanker for the Lancelin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS).
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the purpose-built $250,000 light tanker would support Lancelin volunteers who selflessly come to the aid of the community and visitors to protect lives, property and the environment.
Since November, the brigade has responded to 19 incidents, including road crash rescues, bushfire and HAZMAT (hazardous materials) issues.
Other appliances based at the Lancelin VFRS include a HAZMAT and structure rescue pumper, an operational support fleet light tanker and a multipurpose trailer.
The new light tanker has been funded from the Emergency Services Levy. It will improve the response capability of the Lancelin VFRS for firefighting and rescue operations.
Designed with the input of volunteers, it includes the latest equipment for enhancing crew safety. It has refrigerated drinking water as well as water for firefighting and has in-built lighting and fire protection features.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Our fire seasons are becoming longer and more unpredictable and the Cook Government is committed to ensuring our first responders have modern appliances and equipment to protect Western Australian communities.
"The Turquoise Coast is a much-loved location by locals and visitors, but the attractive outdoor lifestyle can cause some serious incidents, including road crashes, bushfires and other rescues.
"The dedicated members of Lancelin VFRS perform a critical role in keeping people safe, as we saw recently in the Cervantes and Wedge fires and back in 2023 with the bushfire that bore down on the townsite.
"The Cook Government appreciates and values their commitment and dedication in rallying to help their fellow Western Australians."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr:
"Emergency service volunteers are vital to supporting our regional communities and those who visit them.
"With bushfires increasing and more people on the roads, our volunteers are being called upon far more frequently, and Lancelin VFRS was called to 132 incidents over the past three years
"I have no doubt the locals and visitors to this beautiful area are very grateful to have such a capable brigade keeping them safe and I trust the new light tanker will serve the Lancelin VFRS well as they continue to selflessly serve the community."
As stated by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"This light tanker is an extremely agile vehicle perfectly designed for the terrain of Lancelin, particularly over sand dunes that heavier firefighting appliances cannot access.
"The highly skilled members of Lancelin VFRS have kept countless locals and visitors safe along this coastline in recent years and this vehicle will help boost their capability.
"The 2023 Lancelin bushfire and more recent fires at Wedge and Cervantes were a sharp reminder of how volatile bushfires can be in the coastal scrub and the importance of our dedicated volunteers in the country."
