St Helens and Wangoom fire brigades officially received new firefighting trucks last Sunday to help keep communities safe in the event of bushfires this season.
CFA’s firefighting capability is at its strongest in decades with the rollout of 124 newly designed medium tankers to volunteer fire stations as part of the $49 million Capital Build Program.
The lighter and more versatile trucks, which were designed with the help of CFA volunteers, have the capability of a large tanker, but with less weight and more agility.
CFA District 5 Operations Officer Henry Barton said more than 50 of the trucks have already been completed, commissioned and rolled out to volunteer brigades across the state, including the two trucks for St Helens and Wangoom.
“These trucks can pump 900 litres of water per minute – the same as a heavy tanker and double the amount of the current medium tankers,” Mr Barton said.
Members of the St Helens and Wangoom brigades have already undertaken training to ensure they are well acquainted with the truck’s operation, thereby increasing the brigade’s ability to respond.
“Although this is the official handover, the brigades have had their appliances for much of the winter so members are familiar and well prepared for the coming fire season,” said Mr Barton.
Wangoom brigade also used the official occasion to acknowledge its long serving members with the presentation of CFA service awards, including a 70-year life member medal to Mr Lindsay Brodie.
Author: Melissa Mueglitz