Fire and Rescue NSW training academy opened at Erskine Park

The next generation of the state’s firefighters will soon be honing their skills in Erskine Park, following the official opening of Fire and Rescue NSW’s $80 million training college on Mamre Rd.

The next generation of the state’s firefighters will soon be honing their skills in Erskine Park, following the official opening of Fire and Rescue NSW’s $80 million training college on Mamre Rd.

Stage one of the state-of-the-art Emergency Services Academy was unveiled last Thursday — a six-hectare site complete lecture rooms, offices, a gym and outdoor exercise area, virtual reality training room and simulated fire station.

Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant declared the “world class” academy open, saying it was “a historic day” for NSW.

Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant opens the new Fire and Rescue NSW Emergency Services Academy at Erskine Park.

“There’s no doubt that each of the training facilities … has helped contribute so much to the wonderful proud traditions, history, and contribution that firefighting has made in NSW,” Mr Grant said.

“I’m very confident this place will very quickly form its own memories, and is a wonderful asset to train the firefighters of the future. This is a historic day for emergency services in NSW.”

Stage two of the project — a practical training course including a five-storey tower and collapsed building — will allow emergency service personnel including police, paramedics and SES to train together with firefighters to prepare for emergency scenarios.

Mr Grant said it was due to be completed in early 2019.

Stage one includes lecture theatres, offices and a gym. It was originally scheduled to be open in April.

The academy replaces the old training college at Alexandria — which Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said was more than 40 years old and about one-third the size of the new site.

“The college has served our organisation since 1974, but 40 years is a long time in firefighting and our training needs have evolved,” he said.

“Firefighting and rescue methods have changed dramatically, particularly as the emergencies we tackle become more complex, more diverse and, potentially, more dangerous.

Stage two is scheduled to open early 2019.

“This new academy will ensure our firefighters are prepared for anything — and ready to help anyone, anytime, anywhere.”

Mulgoa state Liberal MP Tanya Davies, who “pulled out all the stops” to bring the academy to her electorate, said it would create about 150 jobs during operation.

“The academy is another example of our Government’s commitment to relocating public-service jobs and boosting the economy of Sydney’s western region,” she said.