A new joint $2.3 million NSW State Emergency Service [SES] and Volunteer Rescue Association [VRA] Unit was officially opened at the Dubbo City Regional Airport on Thursday.
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President of the VRA Dubbo squad Robert Chenhall said he couldn't be more thrilled about the Association's move to the joint-use facility.
"It's been a long time coming," Mr Chenhall said.
"We've wanted a new building for a long time now. The building in Cobra Street has aged, and when this came up, we were excited about the opportunity.
Mr Chenhall said co-existing with the SES and being able to do joint training with them is a great thing for both of the units and the community.
"We still have our individual roles to do, but in saying that, in times when there may be a search on we can ask the SES to come and help us, and it's the same for them, if there was a flood rescue or something we could help them too," he said.
"It's a real positive for the community because it's a benefit to not only Dubbo but to our surrounding areas."
Acting Commissioner of the NSW SES, Kyle Stuart, said the SES and VRA have some of the best-trained volunteers in the emergency sector.
Mr Stuart said the volunteers see the joint facility as recognition of the amazing work both agencies do on a day-to-day basis.
There is only one thing you get out of this and that is a better emergency services sector. There are only benefits to gain by co-locating and operating with other agencies.
- NSW SES Acting Commissioner Kyle Stuart
"There is only one thing you get out of this, and that is a better emergency services sector," Mr Stuart said.
"There are only benefits to gain by co-locating and operating with other agencies. I think it's safe to say that I have not seen any of the quality of this nature before.
"One of the things we know across all the emergency services sector is that there's a commonality between all of the agencies in terms of the capabilities we have to maintain.
"So the base training that attaches to those capabilities is the same.
"Having us co-locate in the same facility enables us to be able to leverage off and support one another."