Victoria’s hardworking volunteer firefighters will be better equipped to keep their communities safe, with 25 new CFA pumpers rolling off local assembly lines thanks to support from the State Government.
Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes recently visited Wendouree-based SEM Fire and Rescue to announce the company will build all the new pumpers and confirm the first 10 CFA brigades to receive the vehicles, including Bairnsdale.
“Victoria is one of the most fire-prone places in the world. These pumpers are locally made for local conditions – ensuring our volunteer fire-fighters have vehicles that can respond quickly to keep Victorians safe,” Ms Symes said.
“These new appliances coming to brigades can pump more litres of water per minute and will ensure the community is well protected during an emergency.”
Those brigades are Bairnsdale, Wendouree, Sebastopol, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk, Narre Warren, Rochester, Emerald, Benalla and Lorne.
The remaining brigades will be named in due course as the CFA makes its operational decisions.
The pumpers are a vital fire-fighting tool, with a capacity of 4000 litres of water every minute.
They can seat five crew members and are equipped with breathing apparatus, and chemical protection suits stowed in lockers on board the pumper.
These modern features help CFA volunteers turn out to fires quicker and keeps them safe on the fireground.
With more than 65 years in operation, SEM Fire and Rescue have extensive experience in equipping Victorian firefighters with the tools they need to keep both themselves and communities safe.
The CFA has 218 pumpers across Victoria, with these new pumpers set to replace existing medium and light pumpers which are approaching their end of life. The first of the 25 pumpers is due for completion in early 2025, with the rollout to continue thereafter.
The government has invested $9.9 million to build ten pumpers as part of our delivery of CFA capital infrastructure. A further $18.6 million was provided through this year’s Budget to deliver 15 more replacement pumpers.
IMAGE: Bairnsdale Fire Brigade will receive a new pumper.
