Dubbo can lay claim to being the home of the state training centre for rural firefighting with the opening of the first stage of a $23.8 million complex on Thursday.
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The state-of-the-art NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Training Academy at the city's airport precinct is set to benefit members to upskill and can also serve the needs of other emergency services and government agencies.
Emergency services minister David Elliott and NSW Rural Fire Service acting Commissioner Rob Rogers visited Dubbo and with Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders officially opened the $18.2 million first stage of the project.
It was delivered in partnership with Dubbo Regional Council, and built by locally-based David Payne Constructions.
The academy includes a large auditorium and lecture theatre, training rooms, outdoor training areas, gym, catering services and on-site accommodation.
The first cohort of staff are already working out of the base, and there are more to come, while the first students will arrive on Monday.
Mr Elliott said the modern facility would further enhance the skills of RFS members to deal with fires and other emergencies.
"Our state is hugely in debt to the volunteer firefighters who respond in an instant to fires that threaten regional areas," he said.
"They perform a vital role in enhancing community safety.
"It is only fitting the government delivers a state-of-the-art training centre in regional NSW to support them."
The day's itinerary will also include the official opening of the new Dubbo State Emergency Service (SES) and Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) combined unit on Thursday afternoon.
Mr Saunders said supporting first responders was vital to community safety.
"Whether you are a firefighter on the way to a blaze, a police officer responding to a crime or any other kind of first responder, it is important to know the NSW government is there to support you," he said.
More to come
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
