The Allan Labor Government is supporting volunteer firefighters with the vehicles and equipment they need to help keep Central Victorians safe.
Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today joined Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers and staff in Woodend to officially hand over a new medium tanker and rehabilitation unit while thanking volunteers for their work.
More than $321,000 from the Labor Government's Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) went towards the new medium tanker, with the brigade contributing an additional $58,000.
The four-wheel drive Hino GT medium tanker fits up to five crew members in the cabin and replaces the brigade's existing 25-year-old tanker.
Features include 2,000 litre firefighting water storage and an extra 650 litres for crew and vehicle protection sprays. The suppression system can be operated from inside the cabin - helping ensure brigade members are kept safe.
The brigade also received its first dedicated rehabilitation unit, which helps volunteers working for prolonged or strenuous conditions.
It can seat four crew members and carries health monitoring equipment, oxygen, water, heaters and fans, feminine hygiene packs, snake bite kits, and devices to track external weather.
Funding of almost $87,000 was secured for the unit through VESEP, with more than $46,000 contributed by the brigade itself.
Woodend Fire Brigade has a long and proud history of supporting the local community as well as the wider Mount Macedon region. Volunteers attend more than 200 calls outs each year including house fires, motor vehicle accidents, rescues, hazmat incidents and scrub and grass fires.
Minister Ward also visited the Malmsbury Fire Brigade to announce that female CFA members will soon have protective boots and gloves available to them that have been designed specifically for women - keeping them safe with gear that fits properly.
This tailored gear, along with feminine hygiene packs which include tampons, sanitary pads and wipes will be available in all CFA trucks and vehicles. These initiatives help make brigades more inclusive and encourage more women to sign up to their local brigade.
Of the Brigade's 27 volunteers, 10 are women. The brigade responds on average to 100 call outs per year.
As stated by Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward
"We are continuing to support our volunteer firefighters through modern vehicles and protective clothing, helping them continue keeping Victorians safe."
As stated by Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Woodend Fire Brigade is an integral part of the Mount Macedon region. It's a pleasure to officially handover the new medium tanker and rehabilitation unit to our hardworking volunteers."
