It's not often that two CFA brigades more than 150 kilometres apart, and in different CFA districts, would have anything to do with each other - except perhaps when there's a major fire.
Tongala Fire Brigade Captain Dave Wright, left, gratefully accepted the quick fill trailer from Newham Fire Brigade Lieutenant Bryan Hornbuckle.
But Newham Fire Brigade in District 2 recently presented Tongala brigade (District 20) with a quick fill trailer used for filling tankers on the fireground from dams, creeks or other water sources.
The quick fill was no longer needed by Newham, and brigade members wanted it to be put to good use by another brigade. But why Tongala?
"A Newham member transferred to Tongala so we know a little about their operations," Newham Lieutenant Bryan Hornbuckle said.
"We knew they'd be able to make good use of the quick fill. Not only do they attend incidents in their immediate area, but they also back up Echuca, Kyabram and other brigades as well.
"They also often need to draw water from channels so the quick fill is ideal."
Newham members wanted to give the trailer to a brigade that doesn't find it easy to fundraise.
"Tongala is in a dairying area which has been hit hard by drought and the high cost of water and with the closure of Nestle in Tongala looming, our brigade thought we'd like to give them a boost," Bryan said.
Accepting the trailer for the brigade, Tongala Captain Dave Wright said his brigade was honoured to have been thought of, and he knew the brigade would get plenty of use from the quick fill.
Photo: Courtesy of Midland Express
