Shooters MP Phil Donato has used a speech to state parliament to call for a new fire station in Orange.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He has also implored the government to supply the city with its own "telesquirt" fire truck, which allows blazes to be fought from the air.
"The men and women of our emergency services ... do a remarkable job," said Mr Donato.
"We are quick to pat them on the back when they do a good job, but we need to show a bit more support in providing the resources to make their jobs safer and more efficient and equip them to effectively respond to whatever pops up."
Mr Donato said the fire station, built in 1904, "was certainly fit for purpose in its day when Orange was a town a fraction of the size it is now.
"Orange is now a rapidly growing city.
"No doubt the old fire station was perfect for the handful of firies and their equipment back in the day, but it no longer caters comfortably for the gender equitable workplace or allows for the housing of essential vehicular equipment such as an aerial appliance like the telesquirt.
"To put it into perspective, back in 1904 firefighting was an all-male job, so that meant male-only amenities and horse-drawn appliances and ladders were still being used."
The design of the 116-year-old fire station in Summer Street struggles to support adequate work health and safety of firefighters, he said.
"The hazards of the occupation are well known ... given our awareness of the prevalence and potential for certain cancers caused to firefighters as a direct result of their work, we must do our very best to protect them from those recognised health hazards.
"In the case of Orange, we can help by providing a new fire station to separate firefighters from contaminants."
Mr Donato said any new station should be designed "to fit 21st century firefighting equipment, such as an aerial appliance like the telesquirt".
He gave the example of the May 2019 fire in the clubhouse of the Wentworth Golf Club.
"The local brigade responded quickly, but in spite of their efforts the building was totally destroyed," he told parliament.
"I have since heard from a firefighter in Orange that it is believed that if an aerial appliance had been available to respond to the fire, some of the structure may have been saved.
"There are no aerial appliances located anywhere in the Central West of the State.
"The nearest aerial appliances are located in Wagga Wagga and Sydney, which is far beyond what most would consider a reasonable distance to respond to any large-scale or high structure fire in Orange.
"Orange has a growing number of multi-storey structures, such as the Orange Health Service, the new Bloomfield medical tower, and both the old and new Department of Primary Industries buildings."
HAVE YOUR SAY
Send us a letter to the editor using the form below ...