Question - ACT emergency services

1. In relation to the proposed move of the State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Services from the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre to the site in Mitchell, what criteria have been used to determine the suitability of this site.
2. What analysis of the site has been conducted for a fast and clear exit to attend an emergency.
3. Has a comparison of time to get to an emergency been conducted between the new potential site and the current site for attending an emergency at (a) Moncrieff and (b) Mulligans Flat Reserve.
4. What other sites were considered.

A number of key criteria were identified when developing the accommodation brief for the commercial leasing market scan. This included:

• Location;
• availability to meet the delivery timeframe;
• office, meeting, training, and breakout space; and 
• vehicle management. 

The Territory undertook the commercial leasing market scan of suitable sites for the relocation of RFS and SES units in late 2021. Four leasing submissions were received, of which only one was considered suitable.  The locations are commercial in confidence.

An analysis of the site for clear exits to attend an emergency was undertaken.  A comparison of time to get to an emergency from the proposed new site versus the current site have not been undertaken. Unlike ACT Fire & Rescue and the ACT Ambulance Service, volunteers from the ACT Rural Fire Service and the ACT State Emergency Service are not routinely onsite and available for immediate activation.