A NEW fire truck and extra firefighters will be stationed at Miranda after community anger over the regular closure of NSW Fire and Rescue stations in Sutherland Shire.
The closures, designed to curb overtime payments to firefighters covering for colleagues on leave, were a "burning issue" at the 2013 Miranda by-election, where there was a record swing against the government.
Significantly, with the state election just four months away, Miranda Park was chosen for this week's announcement that 40 new firefighters and five "state-of-the-art" tankers, costing $1.8 million, would be allocated to five Sydney stations.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres said that under the leadership of Commissioner Greg Mullins and the co-operation of the Fire Brigade Employees' Union, unexplained staff absences had significantly decreased.
"While we're happy to see overtime expenses decline, community safety remains paramount," he said.
"The additional 40 firefighters as a relieving force should mean that no fire stations should have to be taken off-line."
Mr Mullins said the new fire trucks would provide extra capability on total fire ban days and could be moved to areas of highest risk.
"The additional firefighters will also be used to help ensure full-time fire stations in Sydney are online and available to respond to fires and other emergencies both around the city and beyond," he said.
Mr Mullins said $1.3 million was allocated to fund new equipment for community fire units and develop a mobile phone app for the use of volunteer members.
State MPs Mark Speakman and Lee Evans and Sutherland Shire mayor Kent Johns welcomed the extra resources.
STATE BACKFLIP
The state Opposition said it was ‘‘an embarrassing backflip’’ by the government.
‘‘They have been forced to admit its cuts to firefighters and the policy of closing fire stations put the community at risk,’’ shadow treasurer Michael Daley said.
‘‘It follows pressure from local communities all over Sydney.’’
Miranda MP Barry Collier said the announcement was ‘‘a local victory’’.
“Firefighters kept saying ‘it’s only a matter of time before a life is lost,’ ’’ he said.
‘‘Yet we had the [government] playing dice with community safety for more than 2 years by [regularly] closing Miranda, Sutherland and Menai fire stations.’’
Mr Collier said the backdown was ‘‘not about saying ‘mea culpa’ ... but about trying to win back the seat of Miranda’’.
Did the government take too long to act?
