Firies call for action on 24/7

http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/firies-call-for-act…

14 May, 2011 04:00 AM
THE firefighters’ union is calling on the NSW State Government to commit to a timeline for funding full-time fire protection for Bathurst.

Fire Brigade Employees Union (FBEU) NSW State President Darin Sullivan said Bathurst and Nowra, another major regional centre, deserve staffing enhancements to provide full-time fire protection.

“Both the major parties committed to funding a full-time fire station in Bathurst and Nowra during the recent election campaign,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Well, the election is over and we are calling on the new government to fulfil their election commitment.

“The communities of Bathurst and Nowra both voted for the Coalition and the two state seats are now government seats.

“In both communities the need to have full-time fire protection has been a public issue for a number of years,” he said.

Mr Sullivan said the FBEU had been campaigning alongside the communities affected for staffing enhancements for some time.

“Both communities are growing, have an industrial base to their economies and both deserve better than the status quo,” he said.

“The people of Bathurst and Nowra need their newly-elected local MPs to go into bat for them on the issue.”

“The new Emergency Services Minister needs to provide some answers publicly on what the status of the staffing issue is for Bathurst and Nowra and what the time frames are on the staffing upgrades.”