31/08/01

The State Government is donating specialist fire fighting equipment to assist the people of East Timor.

Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts said the equipment included two light pumpers, three light tankers, together with eight sets of breathing apparatus and 55 hand-held radios.

Mrs Roberts said the combined estimated value for new replacement of the equipment, which was being donated through the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA), was around $750,000.

"The 10-year-old pumps and five-year-old tankers were earmarked for disposal, having served their time in various capacities throughout the State, but now they will have a second lease of life helping to protect communities in East Timor," she said.

Mrs Roberts said that over the past 12 months, FESA had assisted the United Nations Transitional Authority for East Timor (UNTAET) by sending a special risks assessor to undertake analysis of the local emergency services situation.

"FESA has played a key role in actively negotiating with the East Timorese Transitional Authority and other Australian Fire Authorities to provide a large amount of firefighting resources," she said.

Mrs Roberts said that through assistance by FESA, the New South Wales Fire Brigade was supplying two firefighting vehicles and two sets of rescue equipment and South Australia was providing 42 chemical firefighting splash suits.

The Minister also acknowledged the efforts of Mr Bruce English (a retired firefighter) and his wife, Margaret, of Margaret River, who played a key role as the initial driving force behind the project.

"Thanks to the efforts and commitment of FESA staff and Mr and Mrs English, the safety of the East Timorese communities will be enhanced by having these vital firefighting resources at their disposal," she said.

Mrs Roberts said FESA would provide personnel to train East Timorese firefighters to become skilled in the use of the new firefighting vehicles and equipment.

Media contact: Mark Thompson on pager 9482 4648