In a unique twist to its usual routine, the Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its August meeting at the Orbost Fire Station.
The gathering provided attendees with a rare, personalised tour of the facility, led by Captain Dick Johnstone. This special opportunity allowed members to explore the inner workings of the fire station, including the fire trucks
and the specialised equipment used by the brigade.
A highlight of the visit was the chance to see the recent improvements made to the station in 2022.
Notably, the addition of a turnout room with dedicated areas for both female and male firefighters has streamlined the process of exiting the station during emergencies.
This upgrade reflects the station’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and efficient environment for all members to perform their volunteer duties.
Orbost CFA has had a remarkable year, with the onboarding of five new recruits who are currently undergoing their general firefighter training.
This influx of new talent brings the brigade’s total number of active members to 27, with additional non-operational members also contributing to the brigade’s efforts.
In an exciting development, the Orbost Brigade has been selected as one of the strategic locations across the state to participate in the Fire Medical Response (FMR) program.
Nine members will soon commence training for this program, which aims to complement Ambulance Victoria’s services by enabling CFA brigades to provide life-saving support in emergency situations, particularly in instances where they can reach a patient before an ambulance arrives.
While Ambulance Victoria is renowned for delivering some of the world’s best cardiac arrest survival rates, the FMR program seeks to further enhance patient outcomes in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Under this program, FMR brigades
will be dispatched simultaneously with
emergency ambulances, providing critical CPR, defibrillation and support to
paramedics on the scene.
Following the tour, the chamber members held their monthly meeting in the fire station’s main area.
The gathering served as a timely reminder of the station’s availability as a valuable community resource, not just for emergency services but also as a venue for meetings, training sessions, or support groups.
Community members and organisations are encouraged to contact the Orbost Fire Brigade to book the space for their events.
