The Allan Labor Government is strengthening community safety in Irymple thanks to a modern, new fire station and the arrival of a new heavy tanker for the brigade.
Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward today joined Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers and staff to officially open the new facility and hand over the vehicle keys.
Featuring four motor bays, support areas, offices and volunteer amenities, the new station will help the brigade to serve the community as the state continues to face emergency weather events that are increasing in frequency and intensity.
Along with the new station, the brigade also received a new heavy tanker replacing the brigade's existing medium tanker.
The new tanker will boost water capacity from 2,350 litres to 4,000 litres - strengthening reliability and extending water supply when attending emergencies.
Built for challenging conditions, it features better four-wheel drive performance, in-vehicle firefighting capabilities and advanced safety technology like rollover and burnover protection.
It's also equipped with technology like electric monitors, electric rewind hose reels and a high-powered pump delivering 1,200 litres of water per minute.
With the heavy tanker now stationed at Irymple, Mildura's urban areas have a standardised fleet which allows volunteers to work across brigades and deliver a stronger emergency response.
The station was funded through the Allan Labor Government's $81 million CFA capital upgrades program, with $36,000 contributed from the brigade.
Valued at $430,000, the heavy tanker has been delivered as part of the Government's $22.7 million rollout of 48 heavy tankers and two light tankers to CFA brigades.
The Irymple Fire Brigade has 32 volunteer firefighters who go above and beyond to protect their local community, responding to more than 200 incidents last year.
For close to 75 years the brigade has helped respond to major emergencies across the state - including the Black Saturday bushfires, floods, large structural fires and complex rescue operations.
As stated by Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward
"We'll always deliver for our fire brigades, supporting the valued and respected volunteers to be there for the community during emergencies."
"The Irymple Fire Brigade now have a new station and more resources to serve Mildura well into the future."
