Fire engine keys handed over

Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews, handed over the keys to a new $276,000 fire engine at Umina Fire Station on Thursday, September 11.

The new engine features a dual cabin allowing fire crews to communicate and discuss strategies on the way to a fire, according to Ms Andrews.

It has a state-of-the-art high-pressure pump that is capable of pumping 3000 litres of water every minute.

It also has the latest in firefighting equipment and technology.

Ms Andrews said that this represented a major investment in the safety of local families and businesses.

"This new engine will help firefighters get to emergencies faster, and help them work more efficiently," Ms Andrews said.

"It will improve the effectiveness of the local brigade and their response to fires and other emergencies.

"It is vital that the crew has the best equipment to deal with fires, rescues and spills of hazardous materials in the community."

Umina Fire Station responded to 562 emergencies last year, including building fires, grass fires and motor vehicle accidents.

Ms Andrews said that the new fire engine was part of the largest roll-out of new and upgraded fire engines in the history of the NSW Fire Brigade.

"The Carr Government has installed 168 fire engines in the last four years, with 187 to be installed over the next four years," Ms Andrews said.

"The total value of the Carr Government's fleet upgrade over this eight-year period is in excess of $144 million."

Umina Fire Brigade members received comprehensive training on their new vehicle, including detailed demonstrations of its operation, driving assessments and individual familiarisation checks, before they begin using it to respond to emergency calls.

The new fire engine is a "Type 2" engine.

There are three types of fire engines and the Umina station now has one of each.

Each unit has a different use depending on the type and location of the fire to be controlled.

The NSW fire brigade has approximately 150 Type 2 engines in its fleet and the new one is the fifth on the Central Coast.

It will be maintained by "retained" fire fighting officers.

Retained officers make up more than half of the total fire fighting force in New South Wales, not including the Rural Fire Service and Volunteer Bush Fire Fighting Brigades.

In Umina there are 19 retained staff who come in for regular training, live within a small radius of the station but work elsewhere.

When needed in an emergency, these officers are paged and can turn up at short notice.

Cec Bucello, Press release, September 15