.jpg "Capt Brendan McKnight & MP Maree Edwards")
Capt Brendan McKnight & MP Maree Edwards
Baringhup West Fire Brigade has welcomed a new tanker to their engine bay and celebrated the official handover with their local community members.
The keys to the medium tanker were handed over to excited brigade members on Friday night (6 December).
Captain of the brigade Brendan McKnight said this new tanker was a much-needed update for the brigade.
“It is really bringing firefighting at Baringhup West up to date and in line with current technologies,” he said.
“It will make things much easier for our members.”
He also said members at the brigade were jumping at the bit to get into the new vehicle due to the additional features which will make the truck more comfortable for members.
“Adding the new truck to our fleet will also boost our capability in responding to incidents and protecting our local community.”
The new Medium Tanker can hold 2350 litres of water to suppress fires and incorporates a crew protection system to help protect volunteers during a burnover.
The new state-of-the-art vehicle was purchased through the Victorian Government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with the brigade receiving a grant of over $345,000.
To contribute to the total cost of the tanker the brigade chipped in over $58,000 which was generously fundraised over many years.
Brendan McKnight said he was thankful to the community who had helped fundraise the money.