Fire and Emergency Services Authority regional South West director Greg McKay has said that the Bunbury community is constantly protected.

“There is no doubt that Bunbury will always be covered,” he said.

The reassurance comes after shadow minister for emergency services minister Margaret Quirk claimed the delay of a planned Australind fire station put Greater Bunbury residents at risk.

The fire station was expected to be completed by June this year.

Mr McKay said many procedures kept the region safe.

“When firefighters are called out to a job, more a called in to replace them,” he said.

“There is always staff to back up others as well as volunteers to back up the career firefighters.”

Adding to the 27-strong WA aerial fire fighting fleet is Marty, an Erickson Aircrane which can deliver over 110,000 litres of foam mix, retardant or water in one hour.

The addition is part of the state government’s push to have a large and diverse fleet for the summer.

Currently there are two fixed-wing water bombers based in Bunbury with another two in Manjimup and Albany.

There is also a new aerial intelligence helicopter based in Busselton.

“As with any aircraft this is a fantastic resource but it’s the crews on the ground that put out the fire, not the planes,” Mr McKay said.

“The groundwork is an essential part and we have fantastic teams here.”