Port Business Varley Group at Tomago Builds Donated RFS Fire Trucks Port Stephens Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - March 2, 2021 The Fire Trucks donated by the UAE and manufactured at Varley Group in Tomago ready to be sent out across Australia to help our RFS and emergency services organisations battle future bushfires. THE Government of the United Arab Emirates has generously gifted seven Category 13 Bulk Water Carriers to Australia after witnessing the unprecedented fire devastation in 2019/2020. The seven fire tankers are valued over $3.4 million and will be dispersed across NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS), ACT Emergency Services Agency (ACT ESA), Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services (WA DFES), and Country Fire Authority Victoria (VIC CFA). The vehicles were manufactured here in Port Stephens and the official handover of the vehicles from the UAE Ambassador, H.E. Abdulla Al Subousi to the NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott was held at the Varley Tomago facilities. The United Arab Emirates have a strong and long history of friendship with Australia and felt the need to do their part to support the Australian fire-fighting efforts. After discussions with Emergency Management Australia the United Arab Emirates decided the appropriate support was to gift the new fire trucks to various Emergency Agencies across some of the harshest fire affected areas of Australia. Varley Vehicles, part of the Varley Group had the honour and privilege in being selected to build the fire tankers. Varley is Australia’s largest privately owned fire and emergency vehicle manufacturer. Advanced manufacturing at Tomago has been one of the boom areas for employment in the region throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. By Marian SAMPSON The handover presentation where the generous support of the UAE Government was recognised.
