Hopetoun Fire Brigade’s new $1.28 million state-of-the-art fire station is officially open.
The facility was opened on Sunday 24 June by CFA Board Member Lynda Hamilton in front of more than 80 brigade members, family, friends and members of the community.
The new station replaces the brigade's 43-year-old station and includes three bays, a multi-purpose room and kitchen, office space, washing facilities, turnout rooms, workshop, a BA maintenance room and car parking facilities.
The station has been designed with the future in mind, enabling members to house the newer, larger vehicles that are being rolled out to brigades.
In addition to the providing a central base for the brigade, the new station will function as the Southern Mallee Group’s headquarters and local command facility, and has all the requirements to run level 1 and 2 incidents as well as provide support for larger ones.
It will also become a hub for local organisations with the new meeting room and kitchen available for use for meetings and events, strengthening the brigade’s relationship with their community.
In officially opening the station, Lynda said the new and improved design would hold the District, neighbouring communities and Hopetoun Brigade in good stead.
“With this new facility, we will continue to serve the community and our people with distinction for many years to come,” she said.
“I would like to thank the Hopetoun Brigade Members who have played a key role in delivering this valuable community asset.”
Captain Danny McGee said what they can use the new station for is above and beyond what the brigade could previously achieve.
"The communications and data set-up, phone set-up and the ability to run a level 1 or level 2 incident from Hopetoun means we've jumped in technology," he said.