Plans were revealed yesterday for a well-deserved facelift for  the Rural Fire Service Aerial Firefighting Base.

The base, which currently consists of three converted shipping containers, is receiving about $800,000 for the revamp. 

Rural Fire Service New England Zone Manager  Superintendent Steve Mepham said the new base would greatly enhance the city’s ability to fight fires.

“We were running the whole aerial operation out of three converted containers, one for communications,” Superintendent Mepham said.

“One for storage and the other had an air-conditioning unit attached so pilots could try escape the heat in their downtime,” he said. 

The new facility will have two storage bays able to house trucks, a large crew room with showers and communications areas.

“This is a busy aerial firefighting region, last year we spent $4 million on aerial operations and were active for 23 full days,” Superintendent Mepham said.

“We had to control the whole operation from town which is difficult because you aren’t up here and can’t see what is happening.”

Minister for Emergency Services David Elliot made the announcement and said the future of Armidale is in having services such as the new base and being able to export the expertise. 

“My view is that there shouldn’t be any training at all in Sydney, it’s just too expensive,” Mr Elliot said.

The new base is part of a bigger plan for the airport area. 

Council hopes to develop the area into an industrial hub complete with hotels and an upgraded airport.