BHP Billiton has contributed over A$580,000 to purchase eight new buses that will improve the capacity of emergency services across Western Australia (WA).
The SES Volunteers Association of WA will use the buses to quickly and efficiently transport SES volunteers to and from emergencies.
Six buses will be based across different locations within the Perth metropolitan area, with the remaining two located in the Pilbara.
Western Australian SES President, Gordon Hall, said eight buses would greatly enhance the capacity of the SES team to effectively carry out their work in difficult and dangerous situations.
“The SES buses are used for all manner of important tasks, including the evacuation and return of community members during cyclones and other emergencies, transporting firefighters to and from major incidents, the transport of SES Rescue and Search teams and delivering specialist Incident Management teams to major situations,” he said.
“Four of the new buses assisted in the recent Bullsbrook fires that occurred in January, covering 2,000 kilometres over eight days.”
The SESWA now has a fleet of 14 buses and 2,300 volunteers that service over 68 locations across WA.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore Head of Community and Indigenous Affairs, Richard O’Connell, said the Company was proud to support a service that provided crucial emergency services to people living in Western Australia.
“Health and safety is a key priority for our business, so we are particularly pleased that this new partnership means more people across WA will be supported by the SES when they need it most,” he said.
The eight new buses will service Armadale, Jarradale, Kalumunda, Karratha, Kwinana, Mundaring, Newman, Northshore, Rockingham and Serpentine. They are each able to transport a driver, nine volunteers and equipment to the location where the disaster has occurred, and will feature the new Western Australian SES livery.
The Western Australian SES is a volunteer based division of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services of WA. The SES has provided emergency support services to Western Australia for the past 55 years.