Nowra Fire Station now operational 24-hours a day
Published: 5th June 2012
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher, today attended the official commencement of 24/7 crewing at Nowra Fire Station, with an additional 10 permanent firefighters joining the station.
Minister Gallacher said the changes represented a significant boost to fire and emergency protection in Nowra and surrounding communities.
“The NSW Government announced last year that $1.94 million would be invested in Nowra Fire Station, doubling the number of full time firefighters and improving response times to fires and other emergencies.
“Today we deliver on that commitment with ten additional full-time firefighters, joining the crew today,” Minister Gallacher said.
“It means Nowra Fire Station will be staffed around-the-clock, offering additional protection to residents and businesses in Nowra and more broadly in the Shoalhaven area.
“The 22 retained or on-call, firefighters have done a great job over many years as the first-responders to emergencies at night, and as a back-up to the permanent firefighters who have been stationed at Nowra during the day.
“The retained firefighters will continue to play a vital role in the protection of Nowra, providing vital local knowledge and support to full time crews,” Minister Gallacher said.
Fire & Rescue NSW Assistant Commissioner Jim Smith, Director Regional Operations, welcomed the boost in resources at Nowra Fire Station.
“The population of Nowra has steadily increased over the past 10 years and the Shoalhaven area supports a large tourism industry and other major facilities including the HMAS Albatross Naval Air Station and defence related industries.
“The staffing upgrade meets the expanding emergency service needs of this growing regional centre and will enhance the level of service that Fire & Rescue NSW can provide to the community.”