NSW Shadow Emergency Services Minister, Anthony Roberts, will visit Port Macquarie, Tuncurry and Taree tomorrow (Tuesday, August 26) for a face-to-face meeting with local emergency services volunteers about urgent equipment and resource needs.

The visit has been arranged to meet with front-line volunteers and see first-hand the type of equipment, resources and facilities with which volunteers have to work.

“I believe that the community relies very heavily on volunteers in Emergency Services. They must have the right equipment, and be highly trained if they are to get the job done that is expected of them,” Mr Roberts said.

“Volunteers often work in difficult and dangerous situations.  They deserve the support of Government, but I don’t think this has occurred in recent times.”

Tomorrow’s visit will take in the Tuncurry Rural Fire Service (RFS) at 10:30am, the Taree Volunteer Rescue Service at 12:15pm, Taree SES at 12:30pm and Port Macquarie in the afternoon.

The Shadow Minister intends to visit SES, RFS, volunteer rescue services and Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol units around NSW over the next few months to establish equipment and resource needs and priorities.  He will then present his findings to parliament.

Anthony Roberts, who has been a Member of Parliament since 2003, was appointed Shadow Minister for Emergency Services as well as Shadow Minister for Juvenile Justice in May 2008.