Echuca Fire Station and Deakin Group Headquarters unveiled its brand new location with a grand opening ceremony held on Saturday, 25 March 2017.
The event was attended by brigade members and guests from the community who were invited to listen to guest speakers and take a tour of the new station.
Echuca Brigade Captain Paul Nicoll gave a speech together with Group Officer Stuart Stevens on the history of the brigade and said the new headquarters was a far better facility than the previous premises.
Executive Director of Volunteers and Strategy John Haynes said the new facility would help to strengthen the brigade’s relationship with the community.
“This multi-million dollar station replaces the current 48-year old building and will serve the brigade into the future. It features improved meeting and training facilities, which will enhance and strengthen both the brigade and group’s relationship with the community,” Mr Haynes said.
“This development will also provide members with a more modern base from which to work.”
Mr Haynes said the increased capacity of the station would allow for future and specialist trucks to be housed and would provide greater protection for the wider Echuca community.
“I have no doubt this will be an extremely valuable resource for this brigade and district,” he said.
District 20 Operations Manager Peter Taylor talked about the design process of the new station and the joint funding efforts that made it possible.
“The design and concept of the building was developed in partnership between various brigade and group contributors, district staff and CFA Headquarters,” Mr Taylor said.
“This along with the funding from CFA and a significant contribution from the brigade, raised from within the community, now sees a building that the brigade, group and community can be really proud of.”
Mr Taylor said the new facility should be looked upon as a community station and set the challenge for the brigade, group and surrounding community to take full advantage of the facilities.
“I want you to wear this building out,” he said.
Author: CFA Media