Around 50 people turned out on the last Sunday in May to celebrate the opening of CFA’s new fire station in Edi.
Edi station opening.
Formed in 1950, Edi Fire Brigade has a proud history of serving its small rural community in the King Valley. With 87 volunteers and 37 qualified firefighters, the brigade is a hub for the community.
Acting District 23 Operations Manager Dean Simmons said it was time for a new station.
“While the old station, which was constructed in 1968, has served the brigade and community well it was absolutely time for a new station,” said Dean.
Now located next to the community hall and tennis courts, the new station will be a central hub for the community. The new station is much larger than the old one with double remote-controlled rollers doors, toilets, kitchen and a workshop.
Conducting the opening was a former Edi volunteer firefighter, CFA Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook, whose family has been a part of the Edi community for four generations.
“It’s great to see the brigade getting a new station. It’s important CFA supports every brigade across Victoria whether they’re in small rural communities like this or the suburbs of Melbourne," said Garry.
“This new station incorporates modern features and modern facilities and sets the brigade up for the future to continue delivering.”
The station comes on the back of two separate grants the brigade received from the Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability Grants Program which has allowed the brigade to purchase a trailer-mounted quickfill pump and a defibrillator for the benefit of the Edi community.
“Edi brigade has a high bushfire risk. The new station and these upgrades are an important step in ensuring our regional and rural communities remain safe and fire ready,” said Garry.
On the same day, the brigade also handed out service awards, with David White and Robert Cook receiving 60-year service awards.