Rescue ready

BALLARAT Fire Brigade’s newest appliance, a rescue unit, has been officially handed over to volunteers at their fire house on the weekend.

The event took place at Ballarat East Fire Station on Sunday and involved dignitaries and members of the CFA.

“The current rescue truck is 13 years old and it’s due to be updated,” Ballarat Fire Brigade Captain Mark Cartledge said.

“It’s been a project for about 12 months now, and we’ve got it in the station today.”

The new unit is the fifth iteration of the brigade’s rescue appliances spanning some 45 years.

In that time road trauma rescue especially has gone from tow truck drivers and bystanders trying to free people trapped in car crashes with crowbars and hammers to the highly skilled discipline it is today.

To get the new truck on the road it’s taken about $600,000, funded by the TAC and the CFA, and the appliance comes with the latest kit.

There’s a battery powered cutting tools meaning crews save time not setting up generators and pneumatic pumps, spreaders like the Jaws of Life, and directional LED lighting to help rescuers see better at the scene of night-time incidents.

“The good thing with this type of gear is that it’s state-of-the-art,” said Region 15 Operation Officer Anthony Pearce. “As we evolve, every time we build a new fire truck or a specialist appliance, we make sure it’s got the latest technology and equipment and it has got ergonomic designs so we’re creating a safer workplace for our volunteers.”

Ballarat Fire Brigade’s volunteer rescue crews work all over the region on motor vehicle crashes, industrial incidents, and many other types of high-risk callouts.

It’s a job Mr Cartledge said they’d prefer not to have to do.

“I’d be happy if the truck just sat there and didn’t move at all,” he said.

Mr Pearce urged people to listen to road safety messages, especially considering the bad start to the start to 2019 relating to road trauma, and the region’s growing population

“It’s important the community take heed of all the safety messages and drive appropriately so we don’t have to expose our volunteers to trauma and drag them away from their families,” he said.

Currently undergoing final fit out and testing, the new rescue unit is expected to be fully operational within the next few weeks. The brigade’s old rescue unit will be redeployed to Ballan.