Utilising two grants totalling $107,305 from the Attorney General’s Department’s “Working together to manage emergencies – local grants scheme” the command centre is hoped to be functional by September 2008.

The centre, built as an extension to the existing Council Offices in Market Street, will house Emergency Management facilities including 18 phone lines, laptops, overhead projector and other office equipment, as well as storage for the shire’s Emergency Management kits. A huge generator with an 88kVA capacity has been ordered and will handle any power interruption caused in an emergency situation.

Boorowa Mayor Cr Wendy Tuckerman is delighted by the speedy progress of the project. “We have responded quickly in obtaining the grants and in the construction of the building, making us one of the first centres with a regional emergency centre available,’ she said. “Depending on the type of emergency, Boorowa may be in a position to offer emergency command services to other regions.”

The command centre has been instigated under the guidance of the Local Emergency Management Committee, comprising representatives from the NSW Police, NSW Ambulance Service, NSW Fire Brigade, Rural Fire Service, GSAHS, DPI and St Vincent de Paul Society. Committee Chairman, Neville Mudford was assisted by the District Emergency Officer, John Connell, a member of the NSW Police.