Malaga-based Frontline Fire & Rescue Equipment has been awarded two contracts, valued at $75 million and $50 million, from the state government to manufacture modern firefighting vehicles.
Malaga-based Frontline Fire & Rescue Equipment has been awarded two contracts, valued at $75 million and $50 million, from the state government to manufacture modern firefighting vehicles.
Established in 2007, the company designs and manufactures fire appliances, rescue vehicles, specialised vehicles, trailers and equipment.
Under the contracts, Frontline will build 150 tankers, which will have a range of cab chassis options available to give volunteers more options, and 200 'ultralight' vehicles.
It will also receive a $2.5 million grant, delivered from the $60 million Collie Industry Attraction and Development Fund, to establish a manufacturing facility in Collie.
The workshop is expected to create 17 local full-time jobs.
Tenders will also be called today for a third emergency services vehicle contract worth around $47.5 million to provide up to 300 new tankers.
The state government said it would accept bids that included all or a portion of the work going towards Collie in an effort to expand the emergency services vehicle industry in the South West town.
Premier Mark McGowan said the investment would ensure firefighters are equipped with modern vehicles to combat bushfires across the state.
“We are committed to ensuring a strong economy and sustainable future for Collie, and we see emergency services vehicle manufacturing as an important part of that,” he said.
Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan said the program marked a significant shift in how new firefighting appliances will be manufactured.
“This new build program marks a significant shift in how new firefighting appliances will be manufactured for our volunteer firefighters,” he said.
“There has already been some great collaboration with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and volunteers in new appliance designs this year.
“This new appliance contract significantly broadens the vehicle models and cab chassis that will be available so volunteer brigades will have more options.”
Mr Logan said Collie would now have more employment opportunities that would benefit both the town and the state.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Minister Darren Klein said bushfire volunteers would have the best of equipment to fight fires across WA.
"There's been a long process to get to this point but we are very pleased that we've worked with volunteer organisations and volunteers to ensure that we come up with the right model and the right equipment for them," he said.
"Two thirds of the work will be undertaken here (in Malaga), about a third of the work in the community of Collie.
"This will mean 17 to 20 new jobs in Collie - and that community, which has a long history of industrial manufacturing and work, will get additional work out of this contract.
"Overall, this is a win for our bushfire volunteers across the state, a win for local jobs and a win for regional WA, especially for the community of Collie."
