Sod turned on new Junortoun station

Photo (left to right): Junortoun CFA Captain Heath Martin, The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP and Junortoun CFA 2nd Lieutenant Luke Carracher

 

Excitement is building for Junortoun Fire Brigade as construction of its new, modern fire station continues just a stone’s throw away.

 

CFA Deputy Chief Officer North West Region Gavin Thompson joined The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, CFA Commander Steve Pannell, Junortoun Captain Heath Martin, Eppalock Group Officer Graham Etherton, Station 2nd Lt Luke Carracher and other members at the official turning of the sod to mark the beginning of construction of the new station.

The new $2.5 million fire station is currently under construction along Popes Road, conveniently located across the street from the brigade’s current station.

DCO Thompson said the new station will be an exciting addition to not only the brigade, but the local community.

“Junortoun Fire Brigade is a diverse and skilled brigade that attends fires, motor vehicle collisions and other emergency incidents across its response area,” he said.

“This new facility will empower the brigade to continue responding, increase safety and capability across its members.”

The new fit-for-purpose station will provide ample space to house the brigade’s firefighting appliances, allow drive-through access and improved safety features such as equipment storage and Breathing Apparatus (BA) cleaning facilities.

The current station was built in the late 1980s and has limited common areas and amenities.

Junortoun Captain Heath Martin said the new station will help meet the needs of the growing brigade and community, and house all firefighting appliances.

“The larger kitchen facilities and meeting areas are a great addition, which we hope will cater to the future growth of our brigade,” he said.

“The new facility will also have two changing areas and multiple toilet and showering amenities, which will help meet our brigade’s gender diversity needs.

“It will assist our brigade in better serving the community and for us, will hopefully attract a more diverse membership within the brigade.”

The State Government provided $1.6 million of funding for the new station as part of the Emergency Services Local Infrastructure Program in the 2019 Budget. Additional funding of $900K was also provided through the Emergency Services Refurbishment Program in 2020 to facilitate the full development of the new Junortoun station.

The brigade currently has a membership of 48 volunteers, of which 34 are operational firefighters.

Construction of the new station is expected to be completed in early 2022.

 

Submitted by	CFA News & Media