New Ararat Fire Station officially opens

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Member News image (left to right): Deputy Chief Officer Peter O'Keefe, Captain Daniel Ramsdell, Danielle Green MP, Board Member Beth Davidson OAM, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bernie Fradd

Ararat Fire Brigade’s new multi-million-dollar station was officially opened yesterday, in conjunction with a Community Open Day.

Danielle Green MP and Deputy Chief Officer West Region Peter O’Keefe joined brigade members and dignitaries to celebrate the special occasion.

The new $2.62 million state-of-the-art facility has replaced the former station, which stood on the same site in Tuson St for almost 50 years.

The old station no longer met the needs of the growing brigade so combined funding from the Victorian State Government and brigade fundraising saw the project finalised in 2020.

Ararat Captain Daniel Ramsdell said the new station was welcomed by the brigade’s 70-strong membership as it will help them better support the community.

“The additional space means we have room for all of our trucks, and we are able to safely get in and out when responding to call-outs,” he said.

“The new station comfortably houses the local command facility, and the increased office size will allow us to run two lots of training at the same time.

“I’d like to thank our brigade members and the community, who’ve worked very hard over a number of years to raise funds for the station.”

The new facility features a four-bay drive through motor room, dedicated turnout room, storage areas, workshop and modern amenities and meeting rooms.

The brigade also contributed more than $145,000 to construction costs obtained through community fundraising. This contribution was used to increase the size of communal areas, an upgraded security system and the installation of automatic gates.

Deputy Chief Officer West Region Peter O’Keefe said Ararat Fire Brigade is an active brigade who respond to multiple callouts in their area, as well as supporting agency partners within the surrounding area.

“The brigade responds to around 180 callouts per year,” DCO O’Keefe said.

“They service an active regional centre, and their response area includes plantations and vineyards, as well as farming and natural bushland, so it’s important to provide our volunteers with the best possible facilities.”

As part of Community Open Day events, a Torchlight Parade was held along the streets of Ararat on Saturday evening, much to the delight of locals.

The procession included neighbouring brigades and was led by Ararat Brigade’s original pumper, which was brought up from the Melbourne Fire Museum especially for the occasion.

Images by Blair Dellemijn - Uniform Photography.