Orchard Hills Fire training Academy: $19m facility to physically test future fireys

An exploding gas tank, a towering inferno and a devastating building collapse — these are the simulations that future fireys will have to fight at a new multimillion-dollar facility in Sydney’s west.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian launching a new state-of-the-art emergency services training facility at Fire and Rescue NSW Emergency Services Academy in Orchard Hills. 28th Sept 2020. Photo: Edwina Pickles / SMH

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Future fireys will be put to the test in a practical pressure cooker following the opening of a multimillion-dollar Fire and Rescue NSW training facility in Sydney’s West.

The new $19 million world-class training facility in Orchard Hills, designed to physically challenge emergency personnel, will be a mandatory induction by fire for all new recruits.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the newly expanded facility, which includes simulations for a towering inferno, gas tank explosion and cars crushed under concrete, will prepare frontline Fire and Rescue personnel to “expect the unexpected”.

Fire & Rescue crew during the launch of the new state-of-the-art emergency services training facility. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“We need to be ready and we need to be prepared,” the Premier said.

“The safety of the people of NSW is our number one priority and this new training facility will help prepare our emergency services for all scenarios.

“Access to state-of-the-art props and resources is essential to improving the hands-on training of all first responders.”

Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said the massive practical learning space was “the future of firefighting”.

Fire & Rescue crew test the equipment during the launch of the new state-of-the-art emergency services training facility. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“What we are seeing today allows us to be able to boast that we have the best trained firefighters in the world,” Mr Elliott said.

“All emergency services agencies will have shared access to the Practical Learning Environment, and by leading this adaptive training space we are building the best fire and rescue agency to protect the residents of NSW.”

Mr Elliott said new recruits will be trained to combat counterterrorism, chemical, biological or structural threats.

“This facility is going to be used by a number of agencies, including commonwealth agencies,” he said.

Some of the new facilities at the Western Sydney training base. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Paul Baxter described the facility as “a complete disaster, because that is what we need for our staff today and into the future”.

“Within each prop there are real life scenarios from hazardous materials spills, to road crash rescues and factory fires which will test the skills and knowledge of our firefighters,” he said.

Each prop within the expansive facility was specifically designed to enhance capabilities from fire and rescue to natural disaster and humanitarian relief, with the next phase of the project set to include a residential home, a streetscape and a train station scenario with a railway track and platform for rescue demonstrations.