Big boost for Fishy’s fire fighting capacity

THE fire fighting capacity of the Fish Creek & District Fire Brigade has been boosted significantly with the arrival in recent months of three new vehicles.

With a combined value of more than $865,000, the new vehicles comprise a new tanker, rescue vehicle and forward control vehicle.

The official handover of the three vehicles was held last Sunday at the Fish Creek Fire Station.

Representing the Minister for Emergency Services, Jane Garrett, Labor Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing officially presented the new vehicles to the brigade, handing the keys over to brigade captain Mick Dorling.

“The Fish Creek brigade has a proud history of working to help the community respond to emergencies,” said Ms Shing. “With these new tankers, brigade members will be better equipped to continue providing vital emergency services to the local area.”

She acknowledged the enormous contribution CFA members make to protecting the community and the many visitors to the district. She also thanked them for their fundraising efforts which raised $21,000 towards the purchase of the three vehicles.

Fish Creek & District Fire Brigade has a satellite station at Sandy Point which houses Fish Creek Tanker 2. The 25-year-old vehicle has been replaced with a new medium tanker at a cost of $345,000 funded by the Vehicle Replacement Program.

The brigade’s rescue vehicle, also 25 years old, has been replaced under the same program at a cost of $500,000. The new vehicle comes fitted with new state-of-the-art rescue equipment.

The brigade also had a 10-year-old forward control vehicle which has been replaced with a new 4WD at a cost to the brigade of $21,000 plus funding through the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) of $42,000. This vehicle is used for local incident support as well as strike team activities around the state.

The vehicles will help brigade members in responding to around 40 to 50 incidents each year. Incidents range from structural fires and bushfires, to car accidents and emergencies involving hazardous materials.

The Fish Creek brigade has served the local community for more than 70 years since its establishment in February 1944.

It has 32 active members, who respond to emergencies in the Fish Creek township, as well as the neighbouring communities of Buffalo, Waratah North, Sandy Point and Waratah Bay. Members also support other CFA brigades at Meeniyan, Foster, Yanakie and Tarwin Lower in attending incidents.

Members of Fish Creek & District Fire Brigade and other local brigades attended last Sunday’s official presentation.

Also in attendance was the mayor of South Gippsland Shire, Cr Jeanette Harding, CFA District 9 Operations Officer Michael Sherry and CFA board member John Schurink.

On behalf of the CFA board, Mr Schurink paid tribute to the contribution CFA volunteers make to the community. He said it was always a pleasure to attend such occasions, as it gave him an opportunity to say thank you to the volunteers for their “remarkable” service. “Your service is greatly appreciated,” he said.

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