The Salisbury State Emergency Service Unit who service the greater Gawler area have a new $1 million premises to call home.
Premier Jay Weatherill opened the new $1 million Salisbury State Emergency Service (SES) unit on Saturday afternoon, which provides better rescue facilities to the northern suburbs, Gawler and Adelaide Plains residents.
The unit, which is co-located with the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) on the corner of The Grove Way and Main North Rd, now has additional parking bays for response vehicles and improved training amenities.
Premier Wetherill said SES and MFS crews are at the heart of our community, dedicating their time to protecting those around them during situations that are often challenging.
“They deserve the very best facilities and that’s what we have helped deliver at the new Salisbury State Emergency Service Unit in our northern suburbs,” said Mr Weatherill.
Local Member of Parliament Mr Tony Piccolo said the Unit provides emergency services to the electorate and the 45 members do a wonderful job in keeping the community safer. “During the 2015 – 16 financial year, the unit responded to 448 requests from those living stretching from Parafield Airport, to Lower Light, Roseworthy, Sandy Creek and Humbug Scrub,” said Mr Piccolo.
“This figure for the 2016 – 17 financial year is already higher than the number recorded during the previous year.”
“The Salisbury State Emergency Service Unit was previously known as the Edinburgh SES Unit, and, since March 1993, was located at Hewittson Rd, Edinburgh North.”
“The unit dates back to 1962 when it was initially known as the Northern Districts Civil Defence Unit,” he said.
Mr Piccolo said he had been advised that the move to Salisbury is a part of a longer-term plan to establish a new unit to the north (possibly at Gawler) to cater for the fast-growing suburbs and new residential developments in the area.
The 45 members are trained to carry out vertical rescues, which can mean helping unprepared locals trapped in dangerous environments such as cliff faces, caves, wells, towers and industrial equipment, and large animal rescues. Salisbury SES Unit Manager John Lawrence said the new premises means better training facilities and more vehicle bays for our response vehicles.
“Our 45 members are also looking forward to working closely with MFS personnel,” added Mr Lawrence.
This unique facility is a hub for emergency management and response.
Mr Piccolo added that the new station is reflective of the value both the state government and our local community places on the contribution of the SES and its volunteers.