THE Romsey Fire Brigade has welcomed two new firefighting appliances to its fleet.
The first was a new CFA owned and issued 4.4C Heavy Tanker.
This new tanker replaced the Brigade’s 3.4C tanker which was transferred to the Clarkefield Fire Brigade. The 4.4C Heavy Tanker came fully stowed with all firefighting equipment and has already started responding to emergency calls.
Captain Nic Needham said the brigade was extremely fortunate to have received these two new appliances during the recent fire danger period.
Both appliances were recently on show for the community to inspect at a Community Safety BBQ held outside the Romsey IGA Supermarket on the March 24.
“The Brigade undertook several months of intensive training to ensure that we were ready to operate our new Heavy Tanker.” Captain Needham said.
“Not only does it drive differently, but there are additional safety features, apparatus and pumping procedures which all operational members were required to become familiar with and complete specific training.”
The second new addition was the Brigade’s upgraded Forward Control Vehicle (FCV).
This appliance was able to be purchased after the Brigade successfully received funding as part of the 2017/18 VESEP funding program made available by the state government.
“Our updated FCV is utilised to support the Brigade and district as and when required. It has a range of functions from incident command and control, to support and crew transport. The FCV purchased was a 2018 Ford Ranger XLT which had a custom-built service body fitted by MFI Body Builders in place of a tub and canopy,” Captain Needham said.
“The addition of a new service body allowes the Brigade to safely stow and transport our quick fill pump and hose, chain saw, generator and other apparatus designed to support the Brigade and district.”
The Community Safety message the Brigade was keen to pass onto our local community was to ensure that come end of day light savings, all residents need to remember to change their clock, change their battery in their smoke detector, Brigade Community Safety Coordinator and Fire Fighter Kyle Cozens explained.
“It is important for all residents to recognise the importance of having an operational smoke alarm as they save lives,” Ms Cozens said.
“At this Community Safety presentation the Brigade was also able to show off its recently purchased Marquee and BBQ which was made possible after we were successful in receiving funding thanks to the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
“These two items will enable the brigade to directly and professionally engage more with our Community.”
While Romsey and indeed most the state, received significant rain fall as the Community Safety Presentation was underway, the Brigade members’ spirits were lifted thanks to Romsey IGA Store Manager Craig Hendrickson who presented to the Brigade a cheque for $2,204.78 which is part of IGA’s Community Chest Program.
“This generous donation couldn’t have come at a more ideal time” Captain Needham said.
“While the Brigade was fortunate to receive funding under the VESEP program to purchase and upgrade our FCV, some late minute changes to the service body saw the cost blow out by about $4000.
“Receiving this donation from IGA will allow the Brigade to direct funds raised by the community directly back into the community.”
“It has also been an extremely busy time for the brigade over the last 12 months with the addition of five new firefighters.
“We have also purchased two new Defibrillators which was again made possible by the generous community donations the Brigade receives in its collection tins located at various business throughout Romsey.”
