New name - Same service from ACT Fire and Rescue

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, has today announced that the ACT Fire Brigade will be renamed to ACT Fire and Rescue, to better reflect the diverse range of service, including rescue services, the organisation provides to the ACT community.

"The fire brigade in the ACT is the most versatile fire service in Australia and officers among the best trained in the country and this name change better reflects the great job the service does," Mr Corbell said.

"ACT Fire and Rescue officers undertake a comprehensive training regime and each pumper is equipped and able to respond to all fire, rescue, storm, hazardous material and emergency medical assist incidents as a stand-alone unit," Mr Corbell said.

"All pumpers have hydraulic rescue tools as part of the inventory and all operational staff are trained in road accident rescue techniques.

"Other Australian fire services use specialist crews for road accident rescue response, however the ACT Fire and Rescue service integrates these capabilities, and therefore this rebranding is an important step to provide the service with the appropriate recognition of their work.

"I am proud to endorse the request from Chief Officer Paul Swain to change the name to ACT Fire and Rescue to better reflect the versatility of our urban fire service here in the Territory.

"ACT Fire and Rescue staff, the wider ESA and union representatives have all been consulted and support the change."

The name change will start being implemented immediately on a gradual cost-neutral basis. ACT Fire and Rescue vehicles and firefighting personal protective equipment will be renamed as they are replaced through the normal replacement cycle.

"The current fleet of fire pumpers already have the words Fire and Rescue prominently displayed on them.

"The traditional ACT Fire Brigade crest has also simply been updated to reflect the new name while maintaining the traditional design.

"The men and women of ACT Fire and Rescue will continue their excellent service to our city 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year with their new name."