REDLAND Bay SES Group will soon be at home in a new operations centre, with the move tipped to reduce response times for people living in southern Redlands.
A building at Redlands Business Park is being prepared to increase the group's capacity to service the expanding Redlands community.
"Our local SES crews have a reputation as being among the best across the state and this facility will allow them to support the southern part of our city," Mayor Karen Williams said.
"This new facility will also provide additional support to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and can be used as a staging area for incoming crews if required."
The fit-out of the building is expected to be finished by early April, weather permitting.
Cr Williams said the new premises, bought by council last year, would add to the group's incident management and operations capability.
"All mainland groups are currently tasked out of Cleveland for a unit response, adding a 40 to 50 minute turnaround time for crews working in the southern end of the city during operations and to attend training," she said.
"This facility will reduce that response time, giving the community confidence that help is on hand when it's needed."
Cr Julie Talty said the new premises on Jardine Drive would be bigger than the group's shed at Weinam Creek, with enough space to house vehicles, boats, trailers and equipment.
"It will also include areas to wash down vehicles, to do basic equipment maintenance, and a lockable storage area for portable items such as chainsaws, generators, ropes and harnesses," she said.
"It will provide a reception area, an office area that can be used as an incident control room, a training room, staging area, kitchen, toilets and showers, a storeroom, a communications room and parking onsite.
"The Redland Bay SES Group is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone on Redlands Coast and the volunteers are excited about the opportunities for providing an even more cohesive service from their new base."
Redlands MP Kim Richards said it was fitting that Redlands' SES groups had a home that reflected their success.
"It was fantastic that the Queensland Government was able to support Redland City Council in delivering the new facility with $75,000 in QFES SES Support Grant funding to assist with the fit-out," she said.
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