Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters are thrilled with the commencement of ground work on which to build their new state-of-the-art fire station.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Duty Commander, Inspector Stephen Knight said it's a very exciting time.
"The contractors are on site and civil work has commenced on providing a fantastic new premises for the firefighters of Parkes," he said.
"The new station will be of great benefit, not only to our dedicated and hardworking crew members, but also the community of Parkes and surrounding areas with new and improved facilities.
"It's part of FRNSW policy of improving facilities for firefighters across the state.
"As the needs of the service and firefighters change and the upgrade of equipment such as new fire appliances are implemented new premises are required."
The purchase of the land for the new station was announced in March last year by the then Minister for Police and the Minister for Emergency Services, Troy Grant.
Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW members and the Zone Management Team had been planning for a more modern and larger building for more than a decade.
The new premises, facing Hill Street, is located directly behind the existing and outdated 95-year-old fire station in Court Street.
"This (site) gives the local firies the best optimum location to deploy across their area with their response times, which is critical when choosing a site for a fire station," Mr Grant said at the time.
Inspector Knight said the location is perfect and it's pleasing to see the old station will remain.
"It's part of the history of Parkes and a great reminder of more than 90 years of serving the community and housing the NSW Fire Brigade, as it was then known," he said.
The new station will include a double motor bay, gym, changerooms, mess room, better storage and improved equipment.
It will also have more space for the firefighting crew of 18 to train and for more than one truck to fit inside.
Inspector Knight said building work on the new state-of-the-art station is expected to start by the end of the year.
Photo by Jenny Kingham.