After fires ripped through parts of Kurri Kurri, Abermain and Weston last summer, a new $1 million fire station has been officially opened in Abermain.
The new Abermain Fire Station was officially opened yesterday by Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant and replaces the old station which was demolished. It features a two-engine truck bay, new firefighter and recovery training faculties, locker rooms, and improved storage capacity for protective and firefighting equipment.
This is the third Abermain Fire Station since Cessnock saw its first firefighters in 1909, and ever since has been a region to suffer at the hand of significant fires.
Local residents will see the benefits with firefighters having access to better equipment and facilities, particularly after concerns firefighters didn't respond fast enough to the most recent fires.
"Sometimes it is perception - we actually had firefighters come on from Sydney up to the fires and had quite a large contingent of Fire and Rescue NSW resources as did the Rural Fire Service to fight the fires," said Brett Davies.
Minister Troy Grant said he was privileged to come back to an area where he was stationed in the 1990s and not only open the Abermain Fire Station, but also hand over the keys to a new fire tanker.
"In addition, I was very pleased to hand over the keys for a new fire tanker at the Cessnock fire station and the roll-out of this new technology and new equipment to our firefighters is making sure they have the greatest capability possible to keep us safe and build on the wonderful work they do throughout the community," said Troy Grant.
The $310,000 truck referred to as a 'Class 2' pumper has the latest equipment and technology to increase the capacity of Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters to deal with fire, accidents and other emergencies.
