Ferntree Gully brigade with the grant
Seven CFA Knox brigades have each been given $20,000 grants to help this fire season.
On Wednesday night Rowville, Scoresby, Upper Ferntree Gully, Ferntree Gully, Bayswater, Boronia and Bayswater brigades were presented with $140,000 in grants from the Bendigo Bank (Knox Group) at the Ferntree Gully Football Club.
Seamus Smith, Captain of the Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade, said Bendigo Bank contacted them because they wanted to help leading up to the fire season.
“They knew it could be a severe fire season and wanted to get on the front foot to support local brigades,” Mr Smith said.
The money will go towards operational equipment and training.
“This will support us and make our job easier, especially on the fire ground,” Mr Smith said.
He said a $20,000 grant in one go was brilliant.
“I was blown away when I first got the phone call, we are so thankful for these grants",” he said.
“What it means is that our brigade members can rest a bit easier knowing that we don’t have to put as much effort into fundraising and collecting donations for the equipment.”