District Grant - Emergency Services Alice Springs/Tennant Creek
Provision of Tools and Toolboxes for Emergency Services Storm Trailers
The Rotary Club of Alice Springs / Mbantua are sought to partner with the Emergency Services by providing response equipment for the Volunteer Units.
The Volunteer Units service an area of some 800,000 square kilometres, with 30 volunteers in Alice Springs, 10 volunteers in Tennant Creek and 4 volunteers in Kings Canyon.
Of the equipment to be provided for the trailers, The Rotary Club was to source and supply toolboxes, blowers, chainsaws, lights and charging equipment to the value of $5392.53.
In applying for a Foundation District Grant, we sought the $2,500.00 maximum allowable in this year’s round of applications. This would leave our Club to provide funding to the value of $2892.53.
Artwork was applied to the trailers recognising the Rotary Club’s contribution to the project.
The Rotary Club of Alice Springs - Mbantua has had a long-term association with the Northern Territory Emergency Services through the Damien Clifton Award for the SES person/volunteer of the year.
The Club is also a contributor to the Foundation and has committed to US$3,000 of support in our Club’s goals for this year.
Background
The Northern Territory Emergency Service are providing both the Alice Springs and the Tennant Creek Volunteer Units with brand new light storm trailers.
These light storm trailers are designed and equipped to enable an effective response capability to the following type of operations, tree operations, roof operations, water damage / flood operations, temporary shoring and scene protection.
They are based on the NSW State Emergency Service design, which were introduced into NSW SES in 2021 and have an expected life span of 20 years.
Photo: President Don Bushby presenting the tool kits to Ian Carlton NTES Regional Manager
The key features of these state-of-the-art trailers are as follows:
- Fridge on slide-out tray for welfare and refreshments
- Extendable LED light mast with 360o rotation for scene lighting
- 200Ah lithium battery with four 100W solar panels
- 2KW AC Inverter to provide power for LED light mast and portable 2KVA generator and 240V shore power inlet for use of LED light mast and prolonged operation on scene
- 240V (10A) shore power inlet to charge batteries when garaged
- Emergency LED lighting (red / blue) when stationary for safe work roadside
- Flashing amber LED visible to vehicle driver when doors are unlatched, light mast raised, or rear step extended
- Whiteboard on rear door for incident planning
- Step / extension ladder located on roof-top ladder rack
- Interior LED locker lighting activates when lockers are opened
- Milwaukee M18 range of power tools and lighting with onboard charging
Unfortunately, unlike the fully kitted out and equipped trailers supplied to the NSW State Emergency Service Units. The NTES is having to equip our trailers with existing response equipment from each of the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek volunteer units.
Current Situation
The NTES Alice Springs Volunteer Unit has the following Milwaukee power tools, which are stored loosely within a space case or other loosely within vehicles.
- 1 No - Hammer Drill M18FPD2
- 1 No - Impact Driver M18FID2
- 1 No - Angle Grinder M18CAG
- 1 No - Reciprocating saw M18CSX
- 1 No - Circular Saw M18CC555
- 1 No - Drill M18CH
- 1 No - LED Light M18TLED
- 8 No - Scene Light M18DSAL
- 1 No - Battery Charger M1418C6
- 1 No - Battery Rapid Charger M1212FC
- 7 No - Batteries M18B12
- 4 No - Batteries M18B15
The NTES Tennant Creek Volunteer Unit has the following Milwaukee power tools, which are stored loosely within a space case or other loosely within vehicles.
- 1 No - Hammer Drill M18FPD2
- 1 No - Impact Driver M18FID2
- 1 No – Grinder M18CAG
- 1 No - Reciprocating Saw M18CSX
- 1 No - Circular Saw M18CC555
- 1 No - Drill M18CH
- 1 No - LED Light M18TLED
• 2 No - Scene Light M18DSAL
- 1 No - Battery Charger M1418C6
- 3 No - Spare Batteries M18B5
Scope of Rotary Club Support
Safe storage of equipment is paramount within these trailers to protect the equipment and also to increase its longevity for use to support the community in times of need.
It is, therefore, the Northern Territory Emergency Service requests the following items from the Rotary Club of Alice Springs/Mbantua as part of this support / partner between both organisations.
Suggested equipment requests are as follows for the Alice Springs Volunteer Unit:
6 No - Milwaukee PACKOUT Toolbox with foam insert- $225.50 each Model: 48228450
1 No - Milwaukee PACKOUT Large Toolbox Model: 48228425
1 No - MILWAUKEE 8inch (203Mm) Hatchet Pruning Saw Skin Only Model: M18FHS80
1 No - Milwaukee 18V Li-Ion Cordless LED Search Light - Skin Only Model: M18SLED-0
1 No - Milwaukee 18V Li-Ion Cordless 3-Speed Blower - Skin Only Model: M18BBL-0
1 No - Milwaukee 18V Li-Ion 6 Bay Battery Sequential Charger Model: M1418C6
Suggested equipment requests are as follows for the Tennant Creek Volunteer Unit:
6 No - Milwaukee PACKOUT Toolbox with foam insert Model: 48228450
1 No - Milwaukee PACKOUT Large Toolbox Model: 48228425
1 No - Milwaukee 18V Li-Ion Cordless LED Search Light - Skin Only Model: M18SLED-0
1 No - Milwaukee 18V Li-Ion Cordless 3-Speed Blower - Skin Only Model: M18BBL-0
1 No - Milwaukee 18V Li-Ion 6 Bay Battery Sequential Charger Model: M1418C6
Project Delivery:
The Rotary Club of Alice Springs-Mbantua sourced 2 quotations for the items of equipment. Hosetech in Alice Springs was the best of the quotes after providing a discount for Rotary’s involvement.
The equipment was ordered in November 2025 and arrived early December.
Handover occurred on the 28th of April 2026. The major delay was the actual delivery of the trailers into Alice Springs.
The Rotary Club provided a BBQ meal for the NT Emergency Services Volunteers. With the Rotary Members and the NTES Volunteers there were 20 people present for the handover.
President Don Bushby gave an inspiring speech about the synergies between the 2 volunteer organisations and the ongoing need for Service Clubs in the community.
District Manager for NTES Mr Ian Carlton accepted the kit on behalf of the NTES Volunteers and showcased the new trailers. Mr Carlton thanked the President for his kind words regarding volunteers.
The NT Emergency Services also contributed to the project by pay for the signage on the trailers that recognised our support.
The function was highlighted on the Club’s Social Media presence. Unfortunately, no dignitaries were present due to prior commitments. The media was similarly preoccupied with other major events.
The new storm response trailer
BBQ expertise provided by Paul and Ron, supervised by Kevin