MORE than $1.5 million has been invested in new appliances and a flood-rescue vessel to support emergency services in Perth’s growing north-eastern corridor with new additions recently delivered to Mundaring, Ellenbrook, Kiara, Swan Valley and Belmont.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said funding for the new frontline equipment was through the emergency services levy and the resources would boost career and volunteer personnel’s capability to respond to incidents on land and in the water.

Kiara and Ellenbrook Career Fire and Rescue Service and Mundaring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service were each handed the keys to a new light tanker and East Swan Bush Fire Brigade received a new 3.4 urban tanker, further strengthening emergency response in the region.

Each of the vehicles has been designed with a range of crew protection measures, including burnover blankets, in-cab breathable air units, refrigerators for hydration and automated vehicle location.

Belmont State Emergency Service added a new heavy flood rescue boat to its ranks, with the unit specialised for emergencies, including missing persons searches and retrievals along the Swan River.

The crews receiving appliances today were key to the response effort for several emergency-level blazes in Mariginiup, Parkerville, Chittering, Gidgegannup and Red Hill over the summer and unseasonal storms in the Perth Hills in January.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the new appliances would ensure career and volunteer personnel in the eastern suburbs region have access to the best equipment possible to protect their communities.

“This latest handover is part of an ongoing statewide program, with the state government investing an additional $140m into providing new equipment and facilities to our frontline emergency services across the state.

“Emergency services personnel in this region have had a very busy period, responding to more than 1,900 incidents so far this year, answering calls for help from not only their communities, but other parts of the metropolitan area and Western Australia.

“I’d like to extend my thanks and appreciation to our career and volunteer personnel for the extraordinary role they perform in protecting WA's local communities.”

Swan Hills MLA Jessica Shaw said the demands on local career and volunteer emergency services grow greater each year.

“Whether it's fighting fires over summer, dealing with storm damage each winter or the tireless work they put in year-round on prevention and preparation programs, our emergency services give so much to our local communities.

“It’s vital that we provide them with the facilities and equipment they need, and this handover is another example by our government of what we’re doing to support them.”