Australia is subject to extreme weather conditions on an all-too-regular basis, including massive bushfires and severe flooding, as we’re seeing at the moment. Reliable methods of communication are vital during these emergencies, so having the right equipment can literally be the difference between life and death.
NSW Rural Fire Service - Central Coast Communications Brigade plays a central role in emergency response across the region and a funding injection of $2000 from the February round of Greater Bank’s #GreaterCentralCoast Community Funding Program will enable them to upgrade some of their vital equipment.
NSW Rural Fire Service - Central Coast Communications Brigade Captain, Josh Sullivan, said the service covers a significant area with a large population.
“We assist with management of approximately 2,400 square kilometres and a population of over 530,000 between the Hawkesbury River and the Hunter, working with a total of 47 operational rural Fire Brigades,” Josh said.
“We receive and dispatch emergency calls to Volunteer Rural Fire Brigades and the Volunteer Rescue Association throughout the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie local government areas.
“The Central Coast Rural Fire District alone can receive more than 2,500 triple zero calls every year, and we deal not only with bushfires, but also calls for help from emergency services, including the police, ambulance and SES.
“We’re very appreciative of the funding from Greater Bank, which we’ll use to purchase new IT equipment for our OCV (Operational Command Vehicle), with our main purchase to be a Smart Screen/TV to assist with briefings and mapping.
“This vehicle is deployed in the field to assist with operational requirements during bushfires and other emergencies that require IT/communication support. As recently as today, this vehicle is deployed to Wyong to assist the SES with the evacuation order of homes around Tuggerah Lakes.”
Greater Bank’s Central Coast Regional Sales Manager, Josh Swetnam, said the RFS plays a critical role in keeping our communities safe.
“While our thoughts are with everyone dealing with the current flood disaster, it’s not too long ago that large portions of the state were on fire, some regions for months at a time. It’s essential for these brave volunteers to have the gear they need to fulfil their roles, so we are delighted to see Greater Bank funding going to such a worthy cause and knowing that it will be in use in numerous emergency scenarios.”
Josh Swetnam, Greater Bank Central Coast Regional Manager
Also benefiting from this month’s funding round was Central Coast Dragon Boat Club receiving $500.
Voting in the March round of the #GreaterCentralCoast community funding program is open from 9.00am Monday March 7 until 5.00pm Wednesday 30 March 2022, with Mingaletta Sisters Together, Mountain District Football Club and 1st Erina Heights Cub Scout group
in the running for a share of $3,000 in monthly funding.
The public can vote online at greater.com.au/greatercentralcoast