Local firefighters gear up through generous donations

DEFIBRILLATORS, thermal imaging cameras, special truck licences and apparel will keep CFA volunteer firefighters safer, better equipped and more comfortable, after $4.8 million in donations during the most recent bushfire season was allocated through a tools and equipment program.
Of the CFA’s 1,200 brigades, 95 per cent took up the offer to select items from a “district pick list” program that also included popular items such as remote area lighting, quick-fill pumps and rear-view cameras.
The brigades in CFA’s District 7 – which covers all of Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast – were allocated 333 items worth a collective $180,000.
Broad brim hats and Pelican 3415 handheld torches were the most popular of these, with 115 and 108 allocated respectively.
Nearly 11,000 individual items were selected from the pick list.
Across the state, thermal imaging cameras make up the largest portion of funding, with 232 wildfire and 27 structural cameras selected at a combined value of close to $1 million.
More than $300,000 will also be spent upskilling members after 228 medium rigid truck licences, 27 heavy truck licences and eight marine licences were requested.
In a safety boost for both brigades and the broader community, 218 defibrillators will also be distributed at a cost of more than $450,000.
More than a third of the total funds came directly from the CFA’s most successful community fundraiser – $1.8 million generated by private citizen and former Portland resident Jodie Silva through a Facebook fundraiser.
Acting CFA Chief Officer Garry Cook said the CFA had been incredibly humbled by the influx of donations from all over Australia and the world during the extreme 2019/20 season, and members were very grateful.
“It’s great to see these tools, additional skills and equipment filtering through to our brigades and members before the next bushfire season. That’s where they will make a real difference to the vital work they do in keeping our communities safe.
“More defibrillators on our vehicles mean our members will be safer while training and responding to incidents, while more thermal imaging cameras mean they will be able to safely detect heat sources or hot spots to extinguish fires using that technology.”
More medium rigid licences mean more members can drive CFA’s fire trucks, while the heavy rigid licences will allow members to drive its newly introduced bulk water carriers and large tankers.
“Having additional drivers boosts the brigades’ ability respond in a timely manner and have additional relief drivers to maintain crews on the fire line and meet our communities’ expectations. Having additional drivers will also be valuable when we are supporting large fire activities around the state and interstate,” Mr Cook said.
“More apparel recognises the valuable work of volunteers by providing them with outfits to wear when representing CFA while working for and in their communities.
“We cannot thank our donors enough; it means so much to our members.”