Government investing in more firefighters, police

The Advocate 10 September 2023

The past week has been both incredibly rewarding and exciting for Tasmania when it comes to our dedicated emergency services personnel.

The highlight was the graduation of a record 74 police constables from the Tasmania Police Academy.

The Liberal government promised to rebuild Tasmania's police force, which is now at its highest establishment ever, and on target for a record 1454 officers by July 2026.

Seeing the absolute joy on the faces of these graduates was fantastic and also hearing their different life-journeys to reach this point. The graduates ranged in age from 18 to 50, and an incredible 44 per cent were women.

This graduation will provide a major boost to the North-West with 16 constables to be stationed at Burnie and 10 at Devonport and a record establishment of police and firefighters on the North-West Coast.

To help support our police, the Rockliff Liberal government is investing a record $100 million into new state-of-the-art infrastructure including new police stations, upgraded police houses, two new emergency management centres and dedicated facilities for our Special Operations Group.

Recruitment continues for our firefighters, with nine trainees starting their 15-week recruit course with the Tasmania Fire Service this week. They will complete their course in December and will join Burnie and Devonport brigades in time to help our communities during the fire season.

This is a timely reminder that we are heading through spring and into summer which means an increased risk of bushfires. It is so important for everyone to assess their bushfire risk and have a bushfire plan, especially if you live in a rural community. More information is available at www.fire.tas.gov.au

I was also extremely fortunate to be in Melbourne to witness Devonport-based firefighter Marlon von Moger blitz the field to win the 10th National Annual Stair Climb at the 28-storey Crown Metropol Hotel.

Marlon lugged a 25kg rescue pack and completed the climb in under four minutes, which was truly amazing. Brendan Tucker, from Bridgewater station, came in fourth - so Tassie punched well above its weight.

Most importantly, the stair climb helps raise funds to help in cancer and crisis support for our first responders in Australia. It was established to remember the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the US on September 11, 2001.