Fire brigade ready for rehab

SMYTHESDALE Fire Brigade has taken ownership of a new rehabilitation vehicle.

Last weekend, Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle, presented volunteers with the truck worth just under $145,000, which will be used to rehabilitate and monitor the health of the brigade and other services on site at emergencies in Western Victoria.

Smythesdale is one of over 20 brigades that can offer the service in the state, with 20 local members including nurse and First Lieutenant Greg Parker trained up.

“Prior to receiving this purpose-built appliance, the brigade repurposed a trailer to be used as a rehabilitation support trailer,” he said.

“The new appliance not only provides rehabilitation and health monitoring for firefighters at staging areas, but it is also well equipped for use on the fireground.

“While the health professionals in our team are nurses, there are also paramedics and doctors who volunteer with their local brigades, providing basic health monitoring which includes examining vital indicators such as temperature, blood oxygen levels and blood pressure checks.”

The rehabilitation vehicle has arrived following delays due to the pandemic, and was mostly funded through the State’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program 2018-19, however the brigade also contributed $4300.

Assistant chief fire officer for specialist response Rick Owen said these units and vehicles lessen the prevalence of heat-related illnesses.

“They allow emergency service personnel to rest and restore their hydration and core body temperature to levels that are safe to continue participating in emergency response,” he said.

“Rehabilitation and health monitoring teams have also been trained to assess members for smoke exposure and have specialist equipment to conduct these assessments.”