Heavy tankers for two brigades

TWO Bendigo region fire brigades will have better resources to call on this fire season, taking delivery recently of new heavy tankers.

Premier and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan officially handed over the tankers to the Junortoun and Eaglehawk brigades in a ceremony at the Junortoun Fire Station, attended by representatives of the brigades and the Country Fire Authority.

Valued at $460,000 each, the tankers have a modern interface and are equipped with the latest safety features including a 4000-litre water tank and rollover and burn-over protection to ensure firefighters are safer inside the vehicles.

They also have an electric rewind hose reel to increase efficiency and reduce volunteer fatigue.

Their dual cab capacity means more crew members can sit inside the cabin, keeping them safe from high temperatures.

Ms Allan said her government had invested more than $22.7 million to support the rollout of 48 heavy tankers and two ultra-light tankers to volunteer brigades.

“Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world and these new tankers will provide improved safety outcomes for communities and volunteer firefighters across the state for years to come,” Ms Allan said. “The Junortoun and Eaglehawk fire brigades are part of the fabric of this community, and I look forward to seeing the benefits these tankers will bring to the Bendigo community.”

The Junortoun Fire Brigade was established in 1942 and has 49 members, with 35 in operational roles.

It responds to nearly 80 callouts a year for incidents including house fires, road accidents, non-structure fires and burn-offs.

The Eaglehawk Fire Brigade has been operating for more than 150 years and has 46 members, with 26 in operational roles.

It responds to about 160 callouts each year for incidents like scrub and grass fires, house fires and road crashes.

Ms Allan said both brigades were instrumental in supporting impacted communities during the 2019-2020 Victorian bushfires and the 2022 floods.