By Callum Ludwig
The latest round of the Victorian Government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants have been announced with one Upper Yarra fire brigade set to benefit.
Hillcrest CFA has been granted $26,000 to put towards ‘minor facility improvements’ from the $15 million pool.
Hillcrest CFA Captain Colin Dickson said they will be putting the funds towards a generator for the fire station.
“The case we put forward in relation to the generator was that it would tick a few boxes for the brigade,” he said.
“In the event of a power outage at the station, we currently have to open our doors manually and this will enable us to have power supplied to our engine bay doors to get us out the door quicker,”
“Additionally, we’re a backup site for Ambulance Victoria so if there is a local power outage for a prolonged period, AV can actually relocate and utilise our station for dispatching ambulances from.”
The arrangement is not unfamiliar to the Hillcrest fire station, with ambulances having been stationed at the Launching Place location in years prior.
Mr Dickson said they are awaiting further confirmation on the grants before figuring out if they will get a generator that automatically kicks in to gear in an outage or that has to be manually started.
“The generator is also then going to be an available resource for the community if they need to come and charge phones or for members to charge phones and the like during an outage,” he said.
“Lastly, we operate our BA (breathing apparatus) filling station there, which means that even when the power is out, we will be able to continue to refill breathing apparatus cylinders for local brigades.”
This flexibility will help in the CFA’s overall goal of working towards a widespread BA swap-and-go system, which will help keep all trucks and vehicles operational in an emergency.
“We know this funding will be a vital boost for our selfless volunteers who are always there for Victorians when they need them,” Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said.
“Volunteers look forward to the VESEP grants every year – we’re proud to support the vital fundraising work they do with this program.”
