A first of its kind $18 million Bushfire Centre of Excellence for Western Australia is now one step closer to being established, with a site secured in the Shire of Murray.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said “Our volunteer and career firefighters work under extremely challenging conditions across our big State from Esperance to Kununurra and everywhere in between.
“I’m pleased we’re progressing the Bushfire Centre of Excellence, which will strengthen WA’s emergency services, provide additional support and training to those on the ground and help improve community safety.
The establishment of the Bushfire Centre of Excellence, a key opportunity identified in the Waroona Bushfire Special Inquiry, will further enhance the training and bushfire management practices delivered locally to firefighters across Western Australia and other bushfire management practitioners.
Premier Mark McGowan, Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan, Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke and Mandurah MLA David Templeman today visited the preferred site to meet the new Bushfire Centre of Excellence head John Tillman, and volunteer and career firefighters.
The Nambeelup site, just north of Pinjarra, was chosen for its close proximity to major transport links and accommodation options, and also provides access to rural space ideal for training opportunities and learning experiences.
The building design is expected to be finalised in coming months and is planned to include areas for exercising incident management teams and incident control centre personnel, enhancing our State’s existing capability by providing practical, ‘real-life’ training.
It will also include outdoor training spaces, secure storage area for training tools and equipment, training rooms and office space.
The Bushfire Centre of Excellence will draw on the experience of local volunteers and firefighters from across the country as well as the latest in technology, the best in science and academia, and Aboriginal traditional land practices.
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