Sutton Grange & Myrtle Creek Fire Brigade has a satellite station at Myrtle Creek which is strategically positioned as a linchpin in the firefighting networks of the Mount Alexander and Eppalock groups in District 2.
This vital satellite station boasts an indispensable support tanker.
Just over 20 years ago, when Sutton Grange & Myrtle Creek Fire Brigade wanted to replace the existing Myrtle Creek tanker with a new one, the brigade members unfortunately couldn’t fund one by themselves. Axe Creek Fire Brigade stepped in and provided 50 per cent of the balance after VESEP funding was granted to buy the Myrtle Creek light tanker. A new satellite station for this tanker was also built.
In the past 20 years this shared tanker has responded to grass and scrub fires (including the 2009 Redesdale fire), structure fires, and vehicle accidents in the local communities surrounding Myrtle Creek.
In late October 2023, smoke was reported in the Myrtle Creek area. The Myrtle Creek tanker responded crewed by members from both Axe Creek and Sutton Grange brigades. On scene they confirmed that the origin of the smoke was a lightning strike and they contained the fire to eight hectares before support brigades arrived to help black out.
The brigades successfully applied for a VESEP grant to replace the Myrtle Creek tanker with a new medium tanker, and brigade members are hopeful they will receive it by the end of this year. This will remain as a shared resource.
Axe Creek brigade has two tankers of its own, but having access to the shared tanker boosts its effectiveness.
“There have been many instances where the Myrtle Creek tanker has been first on-scene and prevented smaller fires escalating into drawn-out events,” Axe Creek Fire Brigade Captain Neil Irving-Dusting said. “The location of this tanker is a definite benefit to both Sutton Grange & Myrtle Creek and Axe Creek brigades.”