New wheels a breath of fresh air

MEMBERS of the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade are breathing easier thanks to the efforts of community and the State Government.

The firies have recently been gifted with a new BA or breathing apparatus support vehicle aimed at transporting breathing equipment for onsite use.

The vehicle was on show at the brigade’s station as part of a handover event on Monday evening during which the keys were handed to the firefighters by Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle.

The brigade’s executive manager Jason McMillan said the vehicle is a gamechanger for the brigade’s capabilities.

“This vehicle carries 24 replacement breathing apparatus cylinders and also equipment that can be used to clean the BA masks and make the sets available to reuse,” he said.

“It allows for that to be done onsite at the fires whereas previously we had to take the cylinders back to the station and organise for them to be refilled.

“Previously we probably only had two or three spare cylinders and we’ll eventually have the capability of 36 cylinders. The life of this vehicle is probably 15 years plus.”

Valued at $75,000, the vehicle was purchased thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program and $25,000 donated from the Community Bank Bacchus Marsh.

It has been in use December and Mr McMillan said he expects it will be a well-utilised addition for the brigade.

“It’s probably been used about three or four times since then but that’s been relatively quiet,” he said.

“We’re expecting the vehicle will get used about once a month. We’re able to service all the Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, and Daylesford areas as well as into Melton.”

With 60 members, 40 of which are operational, the brigade responds to an average of 360 incidents each year.