ALL the top brass were there; Chief Fire Officer Jason Heffernan, Deputy Chief Officer Trevor Owen, Assistant Chief Officers Michael Owen and Jamie Hansen, Commander Phil Rogan, Group Officer Damien O’Connor, Phillip Island Captain Lino Drazzi and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, herself a Pound Creek fire fighter, life members of the brigade and more.
It was big day for the Phillip Island Fire Brigade on Saturday, December 9 when they opened their new $3.3 million fire station on Ventnor Road, on the edge of Cowes.
And they would all have been pleased to hear the caution from MC for the day Murray Johnston, that despite being a special day, the fire station remained fully operational and if called to do so, the members in attendance would have answered the call.
Happy days, though, right, if you needed the fire brigade to turnout in a hurry with all those people in uniform ready to go.
But, on the ideal day for a fire station opening, wet and dreary outside, hence the attendance of the state’s top brass, there was no such emergency call, and neither the services of the back-up crew from Wonthaggi, nor the local fire fighters were needed on the day.
It all went off like clockwork.
Despite the wet and cool conditions, Chief Officer Heffernan said days of peak fire danger could still arrive all of a sudden, like they did in the state’s north west last Friday, and the impact of climate change was that days like that would be more regular and more severe, hence the need for new facilities like this one at Phillip Island.
“That’s why we are continuing to invest in our capacity, to keep the community safe,” CFO Heffernan said.
“When you see these old Austin Fire Pumpers,” he said indicating the fully-restored truck from the 1950s in the new shed, “you realise that we have come a long way, such is the investment in facilities, equipment, technology and training.”
Representing the Emergency Services Minister, Jaclyn Symes, it was Jordan Crugnale’s job to officially open the facility after the Allan Government had committed $2.6 million to the project, ensuring the brigade is well-equipped to provide emergency support to the local community and surrounding areas.
The new station, she said, featured a meeting room equipped with training resources to support brigade and community education, a modern kitchen, office rooms, workshop and storage areas, and a breathing apparatus room.
The large engine bay houses the brigade’s numerous firefighting vehicles, and includes direct access to two separate change areas for members, enhancing efficiency during an emergency.
The station also includes parking facilities for members, a secure backyard with enough space for onsite training, and a back-up generator to ensure the station can always be powered.
The brigade is supported by its membership of 57 volunteers, of which 20 are female, Ms Crugnale was delighted to acknowledge.
“It has responded to 166 callouts since the beginning of the year, including rescues, fires and explosions, and hazardous conditions,” Ms Crugnale said.
The brigade has served the Phillip Island community for almost 90 years, and for more than 60 years worked out of Settlement Road in Cowes.
Located in District 8, the brigade forms part of the CFA Bass Coast Group along with Bass, Corinella, Dalyston, French Island, Glen Alvie, Kernot-Grantville, Kilcunda, San Remo and Wonthaggi brigades.
“It’s such an honour to be part of the official opening and celebration of this new fire station and I want to take this opportunity to thank the leadership team, including former Captain Gary Grace, and members for their fierce advocacy and determination, their remarkable fundraising efforts to make this a reality and our generous local community who have walked beside them in support,” Ms Crugnale said.
“Our firefighters now have a stunning, spacious and fit for purpose modern facility which enables them to continue their incredible work protecting the Phillip Island and surrounding community during emergencies.
“This is a remarkable tight knit, highly regarded and respected brigade, a big family that is literally visually enmeshed in our community – whether it is beyond the fireground at their regular street BBQ’s, at local events like the Moto GP and markets, educational visits to schools or forming strike teams at a moment’s notice to go to fire affected areas such as recently in East Gippsland and Queensland.
“They work incredibly hard and are super dedicated volunteers that support, inform, and keep us safe in so many ways.”
All the more meritorius is that the Phillip Island Fire Brigade is 100% volunteers.
