Lakes Entrance receives new rescue truck

Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh MP, joined District 11 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Daryll Hunter, Lakes Entrance Captain Philip Loukes and brigade members for the handover. 

The new $850,000 rescue truck was funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) as part of an ongoing funding arrangement. 

CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Specialist Response Rick Owen said the new rescue truck has state-of-the-art features including emission free stowage, battery operated tools, increased capacity for heavy vehicle response with a rescue work platform and increased ability to carry a full steep angle cache. 

“These new technology and equipment on these rescue trucks makes them one of the best in Australia so we’re lucky to add these to our CFA fleet,” ACFO Owen said. 

“Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade responds to more than 120 call-outs per year, nearly half of those are rescues so it’s easy to see the need to ensure this brigade has the most up-to-date equipment to help protect their community.” 

CFA Lakes Entrance Captain Philip Loukes said they’re excited to have the new rescue truck because of the diverse callouts and the large area they cover. 

“We respond to rescues across Gippsland and the Alpine region, we do road accident rescues, rope rescues and rescues of cars that might have gone down an embankment, so it’s vital we have skills and best possible equipment to boost our ability in this space," Philip said. 

“This new rescue truck will enable us to continue providing a high-quality service to the community for a wide range of emergency incidents.” 

Lakes Entrance is one of 21 CFA rescue brigades across the state. Brigade members undertake consistent rescue training to keep their skills at a high level to ensure the brigade can continue to service their growing community, particularly over the holiday periods being a popular tourist destination.  

The Lakes Entrance rescue truck is one of four being made as part of the $4.2 million TAC funding package.