Blue Mountains News

“The funding has been delivered for the refurbishment of the main fire station at Winmalee, including new carpet, as well as a laptop for the new Yellow Rock satellite fire station and four tablets/iPads for station vehicles,” Senator Payne said.

“This will increase the comfort and safety of our hard working, dedicated and valued volunteers while out on the road and responding to incidents.

“The IT equipment will also assist the Yellow Rock station in tracking members who arrive for training or during an incident call, along with managing stores and locating equipment. It will also enable members to access weather, fire conditions and maps, which is particularly vital during an incident,” Senator Payne said.

Deputy Captain of Winmalee Rural Fire Brigade, Anthony Black said the Brigade was “very grateful for the funding”.

“We (fire brigade) are self-reliant and have to raise our own funds, which cost members (of the brigade) a significant amount of money each year to survive – we need about $30,000 each year to keep it running. It’s difficult to get money together for items such as iPads and IT equipment, so this federal funding makes it so much easier for us,” Mr Black said. “We are very grateful.”

The Winmalee Rural Fire Brigade’s main station at Winmalee, which is 15 years old, is the management headquarters for the brigade, both operationally and administratively.

“I am pleased to be delivering this project which will benefit the Winmalee Rural Fire Brigade and the wider Blue Mountains community. I am proud to be seeing it through to fruition,” Senator Payne said.