Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Marisa Paterson and ESA Commissioner Wayne Phillips discuss the benefits of the new Mitchell facility. Photos: Ian Bushnell.
The volunteers who protect Canberrans’ homes in Gungahlin now have a home of their own.
The ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS) and ACT State Emergency Service (ACTSES) have settled into their new digs at a $5.37 million refurbished facility in Mitchell. The facility was completed in September, about three months earlier than expected.
The new emergency services precinct houses trucks and other vehicles. It also includes a rooftop training area, open-cage lockers for equipment ventilation, and an upgraded substation to ensure a reliable power supply.
Previously, the volunteers operated out of the crowded Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre, which they shared with police, ACT Fire & Rescue and the ACT Ambulance Service.
Eventually, that upgraded facility will only house police, with the ACT Fire & Rescue and the ACT Ambulance Service moving to new headquarters in Casey.
New Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Marisa Paterson recently inspected the facility and said the volunteers now had a home that celebrated and supported their important work.
“We know they play an incredibly important role, particularly during bushfires and storms when the community depends on them, and with the opening of this facility, they will have the facilities support them in the very important work that they do,” Dr Paterson said.
“Not only do they have a base where they can train, keep their vehicles and stow their equipment, but the facility also provides safe clean-up areas, kitchen and meals and break-out and downtime spaces – all important from an occupational health and safety perspective.
The training roof installation is a highlight of the new facility. It features a range of different surfaces, anchor points and removable windows that allow for a variety of working-at-height exercises.
In their place and ready to go: The Mitchell emergency services centre locker room.
ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Wayne Phillips said the facility would house one RFS unit and two SES units and be a northern hub for training and responding to the needs of Canberrans.
Commissioner Philips said the volunteers helped design the facility, including the locker rooms and storage cages.
“We’ve got great facilities for cleaning their equipment, showering, eating facilities,” he said.
“They have a real sense of belonging.”
This would also help recruit and retain volunteers.
“Really good facilities will make them want to come here, be a part of it, get trained and be ready for those days when Canberrans need the most from a practical point of view,” Commissioner Phillips said.
Gungahlin SES unit commander Patrick Coffey said the new facility would make a big difference to the volunteer services.
“The SES is a great little community, but a community needs a home, and we now have this new facility,” he said. “The government’s invested in us as a service – RFS and SES – and this will help us engage with our members and build our unit.”
Mr Coffey said the facility would allow units to operate to the best of their capability.
“It’s also going to be a great facility for training new members in the future,” he said.
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