Photo: Captain Cameron Whelan (left) and Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora MLC (right).
Warracknabeal Fire Brigade members celebrated the official opening of their new fire station on Thursday, 7 September.
The new $2.2 million station is a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that replaces the Devereux Street station constructed in the 1980s.
The brigade has outgrown the old site and is appreciating the larger engine bay space, multi-purpose room for meetings and training, improved kitchen and laundry facilities and office spaces.
The brigade was joined by CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, Deputy Chief Officer Brett Boatman and Member for Western Victoria, Jacinta Ermacora MP (representing the Minister for Emergency Services) to open the new station.
Warracknabeal Captain Cameron Whelan said the brigade’s 79 members have enjoyed operating from the new Jamouneau Street site for a few months now.
“The facilities have been a great improvement for our brigade and it really helps us do our work around the community,” he said.
“The three engine bays allow us to comfortably fit our firefighting appliances and the added space gives us room to bring more members into the brigade.
“It’s also really valuable to see improved features as part of the design such as better equipment storage and Breathing Apparatus (BA) cleaning facilities.”
The brigade contributed $150,000 towards construction costs through community fundraising.
Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said he was pleased to be part of the brigade’s official opening of its new station.
“This new station will help empower our volunteers to provide an improved service to the community as they carry out their continued work protecting lives and property,” CO Heffernan said.
Cameron said the brigade was also looking forward to a community open day event to celebrate the new facility at 11.30am on Saturday, 9 September.
Community members are invited to join the brigade to take a look at the new station to better understand how the brigade operates and learn more about how they can prepare ahead of this year’s fire season.
Local emergency services including police, ambulance and SES crews are expected to also attend and be part of the celebration.