LAND has been allocated for a brand new and modern fire station in Orange that would house the region's first aerial fire truck, the firefighters' union says.
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Fire and Rescue NSW's (FRNSW) existing station on Summer Street is more than 100 years old and was built in the days before it received a motorised vehicle in 1918.
"The fire brigade has identified deficiencies at Orange Fire Station and they've sourced a site to build a new fire station in conjunction with council," Fire Brigade Employees Union country representative Tim Anderson said.
"[Orange City] Council has put aside a block for this station, but there's no money to build it."
The land is a vacant block on the corner of Peisley and March streets, backing onto the rail line.
However, while Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Brett Jackson confirmed discussions had taken place with council, he said there were no plans for a new station.
"Council has discussed with Fire and Rescue NSW that it may put some land aside for a while which may be suitable for a fire station if/when FRNSW would like to consider this option," he said.
Mr Jackson said there were also no current plans to locate an aerial appliance truck in Orange or the Central West.
Mr Anderson said the addition of an aerial truck would assist firefighters to fight blazes in multi-storey buildings and the truck could be used across the region.
He said the current historic station on Summer Street has engine bays that are too narrow and small to fit the new, larger fire truck that is needed in the region.
"Orange fire station can't house the type of trucks they want in Orange," he said.
Orange City Council declined to comment on this story.
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