- New $3.93 million facility future-proofs Northampton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service with additional space for new members
- Construction completed in less than a year by Indigenous builders and Mid-West contractors in a boost to local economy
Northampton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) have moved into a modern, purpose-built headquarters that will bolster emergency communications during life-saving operations in the Mid-West.
The $3.93 million fire station - completed in just 11 months - replaces an ageing facility constructed in the 1970s that was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
In a boost to the local economy, the new headquarters was built by Indigenous builders GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd with the help of Geraldton-based sub-contractors.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) worked collaboratively with Northampton VFRS on the design phase of the project to ensure it was fit-for-purpose and met the needs of local volunteers.
The facility - funded by the Emergency Services Levy - features a training room, personal protective equipment, decontamination areas, change rooms and two large appliance bays.
A radio tower will improve communications between brigades during emergencies, while a road crash rescue training area will ensure crews are ready to respond to incidents near the busy North-West Coastal Highway.
Northampton VFRS responded to 51 incidents over the past two years, contributing more than 550 hours of volunteer work. The brigade played a critical role in keeping the community safe during Tropical Cyclone Seroja and was more recently deployed to major bushfires in Carnarvon, Norseman and Donnybrook.
A public artwork will be installed at the new headquarters later this year.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Northampton is strategically important to our emergency response in the Mid-West, located on a main arterial road in a region prone to major bushfires.
"That's why we need first-class facilities available to our volunteers so they can grow their membership and continue to serve the community.
"The brigade's old headquarters was well past its use-by-date, especially after the roof was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
"Credit to the local builders and sub-contractors who got this project finished within 11 months during a difficult period for the construction industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic."
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr:
"Our dedicated volunteers in Northampton provide an invaluable service for our region, and this was particularly the case following the impact of Cyclone Seroja.
"The NVRFS are highly deserving of this excellent new facility, and it is additionally pleasing that it was constructed utilising local builders and contractors."
