Fire crews take part in water info session

MEMBERS of Malmsbury and Taradale fire brigades recently took part in an information session with a local utility provider to improve knowledge on the local water supply to prepare for summer heat.

Brigade volunteer Philip Flanagan said the group was taught how Coliban Water’s systems functions across Taradale, Elphinstone, Malmsbury, and Kyneton districts.

“We were shown maps of the various water sources, including dams such as the Upper Coliban and Malmsbury, and the pipeline and aqueduct networks for all those areas,” he said.

“We went through where the systems were boosted and the location of additional water holdings in tanks and towers.

“We identified areas that had particularly higher and lower pressures, and what we could expect in certain circumstances when required out on the fireground.”

Mr Flanagan said the information provided would help a lot in the CFA’s ability to successfully fight fires.

“It was fantastic to understand how the Upper Coliban dam syphons to much of Kyneton, but also has a branch line down to Malmsbury,” he said.

“With the majority of the area siphoning off dams, we were also made aware of additional pumping facilities.”

The water supply company also recently donated $5000 to the CFA through its Community Rebate scheme.

A brigade spokesperson said the money will be used for supplies such as lightweight battery chainsaws, high-intensity lights, and eight e-flares for roadside accident visibility and safety.

Following the training with Coliban Water, CFA members asked that it become routine once every couple of years so that everyone keeps up-to-date with sources from which to draw water in the event of a fire.