The permanent Lucas Fire Station became operational yesterday (Thursday, 29 November, 2018) after many months of planning, community consultation and construction.
CFA’s newest brigade will move from its temporary home in a warehouse in Delacombe to the new station at 89 Ballarat-Carngham Road, Winter Valley.
Lucas Fire Station Officer In Charge Kade Dowie highlighted that the speed limit for this road would be temporarily reduced from 80km/hour to 40km/hour in the vicinity of the station, and new signs will warn motorists that there is an operational fire station nearby and fire trucks will be exiting at various times.
“We are thrilled to be moving into our state-of-the-art fire station, after almost a year operating from the temporary station,” Mr Dowie said.
“We hope the community can work with us in being mindful of the fire station while we continue working with VicRoads to install traffic lights as a traffic management solution.
“Firefighters will have access to modern facilities and the latest emergency management equipment, including a brand new heavy pumper fire truck, which we will relocate from the temporary station, and trained personnel and equipment to respond to emergency medical response (EMR) incidents.”
District 15 Operations Manager Brett Boatman said Lucas was one of the newest suburbs in Ballarat with significant new residential and infrastructure growth, so increasing service delivery in this area was a priority for the community.
“The population in Lucas has grown to more than 7,000 residents since it was established in 2011, and with new housing developments, a shopping centre and other infrastructure developments underway, it’s expected the number and complexity of emergency incidents will increase,” Mr Boatman said.
“While Lucas Fire Brigade established itself well operating initially from the temporary site since December 2017, the new station offers additional facilities and more space for firefighters to prepare and recover from incidents, and some great facilities for training and meeting purposes.
“Lucas has played an important part in assisting our community, as well as neighbouring communities and CFA brigades, and we look forward to a continued strong relationship with these important partners.”
The temporary station will be decommissioned over the coming weeks in preparation for the new tenant.