The crew of Mt Riverview RFS, like many volunteer firefighters in the Mountains, spent large parts of 2019-20 summer fighting blazes both near home and across the state.
Many also backed up to help out with floods, particularly around the Hawkesbury-Nepean.
Macquarie MP, Susan Templeman, witnessed their dedication and was delighted to be on hand last week when the federal Opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, pledged Labor support to local emergency services.
Mr Albanese said Ms Templeman had been "a relentless advocate for disaster preparation, mitigation and recovery, as well as for her local emergency services.
"I know this is an absolute priority for her, and for the people of the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury region. The people of this region deserve a federal government that plans ahead to improve the safety of the community."
He promised that an Albanese Government would boost the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury's ability to prepare for and respond to disasters like fires, floods and storms by providing $4.95 million to local emergency services.
Under the plan:
- $50,000 would be provided to every Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigade across the region for needs like equipment or capital improvements;
- $300,000 would be provided to Blue Mountains Fire Control and another $300,000 to Hawkesbury Fire Control
- $1.1 million would be provided to both Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury SES.
Ms Templeman said Labor's investment in the region would deliver much-needed improvements for the volunteers who helped keep the local community safe.
"Our region has been through so much, from the bushfires that destroyed homes and businesses in 2019 to the floods that washed away our roads in 2021," she said.
"We know severe weather events are on the horizon, and we must equip those who protect our community with the resources they need to prepare and prevent.
"Local brigades know best what they need, and local headquarters knows what is best for the region. This funding will deliver the flexibility they need to pursue what they know will protect volunteers and the community."
She noted that each brigade had individual needs, from toilets for volunteers to better communications, improved IT or better hose fittings.
"We'll leave it to those experts on the ground to channel the funding where it's needed most.
"I've rolled up my sleeves and worked alongside the volunteers who loaded helicopters with food when the Hawkesbury was flooded, and I've been in headquarters every morning when bushfires were bearing down on our villages.
"I've seen the enormous work our volunteers do, and they've told me how things could be done better.
"Our volunteers are selflessly protecting our community. I am proud to support them, and fight for the funding they need to keep us all safe."
