Emergency Service Volunteers

Mr FRANK TERENZINI: I direct my question to the Minister for Emergency Services. Can the Minister advise the House how the Iemma Government is supporting emergency service volunteers, particularly those in rural and regional areas?

Mr NATHAN REES: I thank the member for his question and continuing interest in our emergency services, particularly in the aftermath of the Hunter and Central Coast floods on the June long weekend last year. This week is National Volunteer Week. It is an opportunity for us all to recognise the thousands of volunteers in New South Wales who do such a terrific job of keeping our community safe and helping us to recover after disasters. This State has more than 80,000 emergency services volunteers in the Rural Fire Service, the State Emergency Service, the New South Wales Volunteer Rescue Association, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and the New South Wales Fire Brigades' community fire units.

Before I go on with the rest of the answer, I will update the House on an incident that occurred this morning. Unfortunately, the Strathfield State Emergency Service facility was burnt to the ground. Despite the fact that fire brigade units were on the scene within six minutes, the building suffered extensive damage. I am advised that at this stage it appears that the fire was caused by an electrical fault and there is no sign of anything suspicious. I must make mention of the representations of the member for Strathfield. She was immediately on the phone to me. The Government has made $50,000 available for the long-term relocation of the unit. In the interim the service will be housed at Canada Bay and business will continue as usual. I am also happy to advise the House that no injuries were sustained and that the unit's vehicles are undamaged.

It was my pleasure this morning to hand over the first of 23 new flood boats worth a total of $584,000 to the State Emergency Service at the Opera House. Those boats will be distributed to State Emergency Service units in Nabiac, Nundle, Gunnedah, Deepwater, Myall Lakes, Port Stephens, Clarence, Barwon, Murrumbidgee, Murray-Darling, Wagga Wagga and Burrinjuck. The work of the State Emergency Service flood boats and their important role in recovery efforts was obvious during the Hunter floods last year. A number of new boats have been delivered to the region and I have taken steps today to ensure that the community of Hinton will also get a flood boat in addition to the 23 already announced. That brings the State Emergency Service fleet to 360 boats for emergency rescues, resupplying isolated communities, rescuing stranded stock, flood reconnaissance missions and ferrying volunteers and equipment.

In an example of good corporate citizenship, Reliance Petroleum has agreed to enter into a new community partnership with the State Emergency Service to install global positioning system units in 120 flood boats. I put on record the Government's thanks to that company. All emergency services constantly need to update skills and training. In that vein, I announce new Rural Fire Service and significantly boosted State Emergency Service scholarship programs. The State Emergency Service will offer its members a series of scholarships valued at a total of $15,000 a year to be used to study emergency prevention, preparedness, response and recovery and risk management. The Rural Fire Service will offer a new major research grant, the Rural Fire Fellowship, worth $25,000 for the study of bushfire-related disciplines. The two services, the State Government and their volunteer associations are providing funds for the program jointly.

It is appropriate that as part of National Volunteer Week the Government pledge its support and assistance to these fine schemes. They will help to encourage younger volunteers, increase their skills base and further enhance the very high professional standards of both State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service volunteers. I am sure members will join me in taking this opportunity during National Volunteer Week to thank all our volunteers for their hard work and dedication in protecting and assisting people in need. I also thank their families, who also assist when the volunteers are helping others. They all deserve our praise and congratulations for a job well done. They are a credit to their services and to their community, and we thank them.