Members of Malmsbury Fire Brigade have been handed the keys to a new medium tanker.
Malmsbury Captain Tony Stephens with Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
The 2350-litre tanker is a welcome boost for the brigade, bringing their fleet to four and increasing their capacity to respond to both structure and grass fires.
It will also support additional capability during the fire season, with the brigade actively involved in strike teams deployed across the state.
The tanker handover included two sets of breathing apparatus to give volunteers greater capacity to combat structure fires.
Captain Tony Stephens said Malmsbury was one of the busiest Class 3 brigade in the state, with a membership base steadily growing in line with its community.
"We attend about 150 incidents each year and have an 100 per cent service delivery rate so having a second tanker with BA ensures we are well resourced to attend incidents both locally and across the state when needed," Tony said.
"It also allows us room to grow as a brigade as our community grows and our community needs increase."
In officially handing over the tanker, Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas congratulated the volunteers for their dedicated service to the community.
“I congratulate the Malmsbury Fire Brigade on its continued ability to serve not just our community but those that call on them in their time of need anywhere across the state,” she said.
“Malmsbury’s volunteer firefighters do a wonderful job protecting the local community, and this new tanker is an excellent addition to its capabilities.”
The medium tanker was funded under the State Government’s $60 million investment in the Victorian Fire Services as part of the 2017 Fire Services Statement.
Author: Shaunnagh O'Loughlin