The Warrnambool Fire Brigade is better equipped for the upcoming fire season thanks to a new $6.7 million fire station located in Mortlake Road and a new medium tanker.
Representing the Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today officially opened the new modern facilities and handed over the keys to the tanker.
The two-storey station was purpose-built to meet the future needs of the growing region, replacing the brigade’s previous base in Raglan Parade, which was built in 1989.
It has a four-bay motor room, eight bedrooms, sheds for smaller vehicles and an indoor training track for volunteer running competitions.
The new fire station was funded through CFA’s Project 2016, which supports fire brigades in key growth corridors of Victoria experiencing increased demand on their services.
The purchase of the new medium tanker was made possible thanks to the Victorian Government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program.
The government provided a $260,000 grant to purchase the vehicle, with the brigade contributing $100,000 thanks to their successful fundraising efforts and generous community donations.
The tanker will help the brigade’s current 120 career and volunteer members continue a tradition of community service that has prevailed in Warrnambool for more than 150 years.
With today marking the start of Victoria’s Fire Action Week, Ms Tierney urged Warrnambool’s 35,000 residents to talk with family, friends and neighbours about fire risk and plan for what they will do on hot, dry, windy days.
Current forecasts show there is potential for an above average fire season in the west of Victoria.
Ms Tierney said now was the best time to understand fire risk and get prepared, not when a fire starts.
For more information on how to get prepared for summer, go to emergency.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP
“This new modern fire station and tanker will help the Warrnambool Fire Brigade respond to around 600 calls per year, continuing its long and distinguished history of protecting the local community.”
“The Victorian Government is proud to be supporting emergency service volunteers by investing millions of dollars in new equipment, facilities and training capability through the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program.”
“Fire Action Week is a great time to increase your understanding of the fire risk in your area, prepare your property, and talk to your household about what you’ll do to stay safe from fire.”