BAINBRIDGE Fire Brigade has recently taken possession of a new quick fill unit.

The new unit includes a quick fill pump and trailer and will enable the process of refilling fire tanks with water much easier for local fire fighters.

Bainbridge Fire Brigade Captain, Rod Macgugan, said the purchase of the equipment to the value of around $12,000 was made possible by a Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grant of $6940. The grant was combined with brigade fundraising efforts and generous donations from the community.

The quick fill pump is a small petrol driven engine powered pump, fitted within a frame, light enough for two people to carry.

The transportability of the unit means accessing water sources in varied situations will be easier and enable crews to quickly fill appliances with water, with the use of appropriate hoses.

It can be placed adjacent to a water source, such as a creek or dam, for use by crews when more water is required, thus accelerating firefighting efforts.

Mr Macgugan praised volunteer brigade members, particularly 3rd Lieutenant Andrew Barry, who organised and negotiated the purchase, and Hardy Clemmens for the engineering and design of the unit.

“Our old quick fill unit was falling into disrepair,” Mr Macgugan said.

“VESEP put in just over half of the funding needed, and that, combined with fundraising efforts, meant we were able to purchase a new one.

“It pumps a large amount of water - up to 2000 litres per minute - and can fill the truck from a water source, like a dam or a river, much quicker, and enable the truck to get back to the fire front to continue firefighting.

“It is also electric start which is a lot more user friendly - the old one was a pull start - so that removes some manual handling issues.”

Mr Macgugan said the pump would be transported on an appliance, or on a trailer, towed behind a command or logistics vehicle.

He said a trailer to transport the pump was purchased at a discounted rate from Peter Radley from Radleys of Hamilton and modified to meet the requirements to accommodate the pump.

“Bainbridge Fire Brigade volunteers gave their time to make the modifications to the trailer so it would be fit for purpose,” Mr Macgugan said.

“The modifications included making racks to ensure equipment can be safely stored, including the quick fill pump and a lighting unit.

“The lighting unit is a system on a pole to illuminate the area so that fire fighters can see what they’re doing.

“We also had some sticker signs donated by David Rowe Sign Design so that the equipment can be identified as property of the Bainbridge Fire Brigade.

“It was a community effort to bring it all together for the benefit of the community overall.”

Mr Macgugan said thankfully the fire brigade was yet to use the new unit although the Bainbridge Fire Brigade had several callouts this season.

VESEP is an annual grants program funded by the Victorian Government which provides funding to Victorian emergency services volunteer groups to purchase essential operational equipment, vehicles and appliances, and minor facility improvements.

Mr Macgugan said Bainbridge Fire Brigade was always looking for new members.

He said there were benefits to being a volunteer – “it can be a very fulfilling experience with a variety of roles available”.

“It’s an extremely inclusive and diverse community,” Mr Macgugan said.

“It’s very rewarding to be a member of a team that makes a significant contribution to the community.

“You might not be able to fight a fire but there are plenty of other ways someone can be involved and make a valued contribution.

“Some rural brigades have members that come in and sweep out the shed or mow the lawn and make sure the fridge is on - that sort of thing.”

Bainbridge Fire Brigade is a rural brigade that predominantly looks after farmland north of the Hamilton township.

Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to visit cfa.vic.gov.au or alternatively call CFA District 5 Headquarters located on Coleraine Road, Hamilton.