CFA station’s cuddly approach to equipment upgrades

A NEW breathing apparatus and a washing machine are some of the things CFA Grovedale hopes to purchase following their current fundraiser.

The volunteers at CFA Grovedale have repurposed their trauma Koala Bears to be available for purchase to the public in exchange for extra funds that will contribute to much-needed equipment upgrades.

The brigade is asking local community members to purchase its Captain Koala Teddy Bears for $20 each.

Fundraising for upgraded equipment has arisen from a cut to funding that usually sees two sets of breathing apparatuses delivered to the local station, according to community safety coordinator Rebecca Frost.

“These breathing apparatuses are usually for the truck that we take to your grass fires and that sort of thing,” Ms Frost said.

“That’s also our second vehicle that we take to car and house fires so we still need the breathing apparatuses on the truck to protect our members if they do end up at a car accident or anywhere where there might be high toxins and smoke around.”

Ms Frost said CFA Grovedale’s location has not been upgraded since the early-1980s and they had only recently finished building a new shed which houses their breathing apparatus sinks. This was done so members would not have to clean their equipment in the kitchen.

In addition, a new washing machine is set to be installed so firefighters no longer need to wash their uniforms at home, potentially exposing their family members to dangerous chemicals and toxic residue from fires.

The constantly growing residential estates appearing to the south of the station in areas such as Armstrong Creek and Charlemont require CFA Grovedale to consistently up their game, station captain Adam Meehan said.

“We need to provide the community the best support outcome,” Mr Meehan said.

“Why now is important is more the fact that we are emerging out of COVID-19, and we need to get out there amongst the community. Being a brigade, we have been couped up for the last 18 months and with the state becoming double-vaxxed we need to be out in the community to show people we are there, and we need to upgrade our equipment to do so.”

Mr Meehan also said Grovedale CFA was coming off the back of its largest ever recruitment drive with 12 new members expected to join its team for the upcoming summer season.

The station’s volunteer numbers stand at 82 members with 66 of these being in the senior ranks.

To purchase a Captain Koala reach out directly to CFA Grovedale’s Facebook page or email [email protected]. Orders will close on November 17.