A new state-of-the-art Medium Storm Vehicle will be deployed on the Northern Beaches to bolster the NSW State Emergency Service’s (SES) response to the upcoming storm season.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery joined Member for Manly James Griffin and SES Deputy Commissioner Daniel Austin at the Manly SES Unit today to officially hand over the keys to the $245,000 purpose-built truck.
“This fully equipped vehicle has been delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $116 million investment in SES fleet replacement, giving our volunteers the vehicles they need to serve their communities to the best of their ability,” Ms Cooke said.
“The truck includes a ladder loader and ladder, power tools, front and rear anchor points and stowage for an Ark Angel rescue craft. It will help volunteers better respond to a range of incidents, including storm damage operations and flood rescues.”
Mr Griffin said the Medium Storm Vehicle is a welcome boost for the Manly SES Unit which has responded to more than 500 incidents in the past year.
“It’s been an incredibly busy period for our volunteers around Manly with the unprecedented rainfall Sydney has experienced this year,” Mr Griffin said.
“This new asset has arrived at the perfect time, allowing our 136 volunteers from the Manly SES Unit to better protect the community, with the official storm season fast approaching on 1 October.”
Deputy Commissioner Austin said the new vehicle will equip volunteers to carry out critical life-saving tasks.
“It is a significant boost for the area, offering greater response capability for land and in-water flood rescues, storm events and complex storm damage operations,” Deputy Commissioner Austin said.