Labor has responded to vigorous union lobbying efforts by pledging to buy an aerial firefighting pumper, begin planning work for a new Civic fire and ambulance station, and partner with NSW to contract another helicopter and remote access fire teams.
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The United Firefighters Union has mounted a high-profile campaign during the election campaign on a string of issues, including demands for a second Bronto aerial firefighting platform to fight high-rise fires.
The lack of a backup Bronto, it was argued, put the ACT at risk if the first was out of action, or if there were simultaneous high-level apartment fires.
Labor has previously said the Bronto is rarely used, and a second one was not needed.
Their announcement does not promise a second Bronto, but instead finds a middle ground.
Labor says they would buy a pumper-aerial appliance, which can fight fires in tall buildings, but also act as a normal firefighting pumper.
That gives greater flexibility, although it doesn't have the same rescue capability as a Bronto.
UFU ACT branch secretary Greg McConville welcomed the announcement.
"An aerial pumper is arguably a more versatile firefighting vehicle, because it can be turned out as a pumper, or an aerial appliance, but it doesn't have rescue capability," he said.
"To us, it's a very good announcement because it's an extra level of capability in the fleet, and it provides that capability in a very flexible way."
Labor would also begin a feasibility study for a new fire and ambulance station in Civic - which would be on top of the major station upgrade and relocation strategy currently being pursued.
They would give volunteer firefighters subsidised gym memberships, and partner with the National Aerial Firefighting Centre and NSW Rural Fire Service to get access to an additional helicopter and remote fire teams.
They have also committed to never implementing part-time fire stations, something which was considered by consultants during a major review, but repeatedly ruled out by the Emergency Services Agency.
Mr McConville said the announcement had addressed a number of priorities set out by the union.
"We'll be announcing candidate scorecards or rankings in coming days, or early next week, and at the same time we'll be releasing rankings for the parties as well," he said.
Meanwhile, the Greens have announced they would push for a dedicated drug and alcohol court in the next term of government.
Specialised drug courts are in use in New Zealand and in NSW, and are designed to better rehabilitate chronic drug users to prevent recidivism.
The ACT's current Chief Justice, Helen Murrell, was instrumental in setting up and presiding over the NSW's first drug court.
Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said they would push for such a court to be created in the ACT, providing an additional magistrate and cultural advisor, and enacting the necessary legislation to govern a "best practice" alcohol and other drugs court.
"The evidence is clear that our current approach to illicit drug use has failed people with addictions, and our community," Mr Rattenbury said.
The plan was welcomed by Directions ACT, one of the main drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in Canberra.
Directions chief executive officer Fiona Trevelyan said drug courts have been highly successful in New Zealand, where they have reduced recidivism and saved the justice system money.
"It has a whole wide range of benefits, and it does it in a cost-effective way," she said.
"One looks at the cost of keeping someone incarcerated, versus actually providing that person with some rehabilitation, and that they get back to working or studying, and connecting back to the community."
