MEMBERS of the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade are breathing easier thanks to the efforts of community and the State Government.<\/p>\n
The firies have recently been gifted with a new BA or breathing apparatus support vehicle aimed at transporting breathing equipment for onsite use.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The brigade’s executive manager Jason McMillan said the vehicle is a gamechanger for the brigade’s capabilities.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It has been in use December and Mr McMillan said he expects it will be a well-utilised addition for the brigade.<\/p>\n
“It’s probably been used about three or four times since then but that’s been relatively quiet,” he said.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
With 60 members, 40 of which are operational, the brigade responds to an average of 360 incidents each year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n