Nationals’ candidate for Clarence, Richie Williamson, was on hand to welcome the handover of keys to a new $400,000 rescue vehicle and trailer to volunteers of the Woodburn SES Unit by Nationals Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke.
Mr Williamson said the new vehicle and trailer were the latest additions to help boost the unit’s capability when responding to storm and rescue jobs.
“The 5-tonne Medium Rescue Vehicle will be a valuable resource when responding to storm jobs, road crashes, and rescue operations including agricultural, animal, industrial, vertical and urban search and rescue incidents,” Mr Williamson said.
“The Light Storm Trailer will allow the Woodburn SES Unit volunteers extra capability when it comes to tree and roof related jobs.
“Our SES volunteers do a tremendous job in protecting and serving the community, and I am delighted to see the NSW Nationals in Government continuing to support them with additional life-saving equipment.”
Minister Cooke said last year’s unprecedented flooding had such a significant impact on Northern Rivers communities, including Woodburn, and she will forever be grateful to all the volunteers who went above and beyond in their service to others.
“It is vitally important that our volunteers have the very best equipment to respond to future floods and storms, and the NSW Nationals’ $116 million Fleet Replacement Program does exactly that,” Ms Cooke said.
SES Acting Commissioner Damien Johnston said the two new assets will provide vital additional capability for volunteers.
“Our volunteers safeguard the community during major storm and flood events, and this investment will increase our volunteers’ responsiveness when the next weather event strikes,” Acting Commissioner Johnston said.
Woodburn Unit commander Ashley Slapp said the past year has been the busiest on record.
“Our volunteers have responded to 250 incidents over the past year and these assets will enable us to provide a more efficient and effective service to our community, as well as transport equipment and supplies to volunteers while they are out responding to requests for assistance,” Mr Slapp said
