Just over six months after the height of the 2019/20 summer bushfires that raged across East Gippsland and an outpouring of support from people all over the world, local brigades and communities continue their recovery journey.
CFA's District 11 purchased a portable generator funded by Uyghur Association of Victoria to be used where it's needed most.
Closer to home, small businesses and community members have decided to give back to brigades who had worked tirelessly over the fire season to help protect lives and property.
Many brigades in CFA's District 11, which takes in all of East Gippsland Shire, have received items from organisations and members of the public that will help them continue their efficient work fighting fires and responding to emergency incidents within the community.
Winners of a raffle at the Australian Superbike Championship donated their prize Yamaha petrol generator, valued at around $2000, to Bruthen Fire Brigade.
Bruthen Fire Brigade Captain James Nicholas said the donated generator and two quick fill pumps will benefit a number of brigades across East Gippsland.
"Members from the Islamic Centre of Coburg also contacted us asking if there's any equipment we wanted," Captain Nicholas said.
"We requested two quick fill pumps priced at around $3000 each. These are primarily used to draw water and fill up from a number of different static water sources such as a firefighting water tank.
"We'll be pairing the generator and the quick fill pumps with a trailer owned by the brigade to make them available for wider use across District 11 when they're needed.
"The support by the community has been fantastic for our brigade and the community."
Bruthen Fire Brigade was donated a generator and two quick fill pumps by members of the community.
Mossi-Tambo Fire Brigade was the recipients of donated garden hoses and sprinklers, while Omeo Fire Brigade was humbled to receive two 600-litre Firefighting Skid Units valued at more than $5000 each from staff at the Southern Program Alliance.
Buchan Fire Brigade Captain Peter White said his brigade was the lucky recipient of a trailer that will help members transport firefighting equipment to where it's needed most.
"We were looking for a particular trailer to help move the quick fill pumps and the hoses around the township," Captain White said.
"I was calling around to Trik Trailers in Pakenham and they told me instead of selling to me, they'd like to donate the $1200 trailer.
"I have been extremely humbled by the generosity of people from all over Australia for helping not only our brigades, but our communities."
Brigades will also have access to a portable generator located at the District 11 Headquarters thanks to funds donated to the district by the Uyghur Association of Victoria earlier this year.
District 11 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Daryll Hunter said it's not uncommon for power outages in East Gippsland and thoughtful donations like the portable power generator will allow brigades to continue their important work through tough circumstances.
"The generator allows our members to move it to where it is needed most during an emergency," ACFO Hunter said.
"Many of our brigades experienced power outages during last summer's bushfires which meant they lost light and were unable to use pumps for water."
Twenty small rural and remote brigades within the district have also received E-flares and helmet torches packages thanks to thoughtful donations to District 11 earlier this year.
"The distributed E-flares help guide firefighters to water sources when travelling through thick smoke that is creating poor visibility on the roads," ACFO Hunter said.
"They can also be used to assist in directing traffic when brigades attend motor vehicle collisions.
"These items are key safety items during bushfires and other incidents our crews attend all year round."
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Fernbank Fire Brigade now have new helmet torches and E-flares to assist them at incidents.
Brigades will also have access to a portable generator located at the District 11 Headquarters thanks to funds donated to the district by the Uyghur Association of Victoria earlier this year.
District 11 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Daryll Hunter said it's not uncommon for power outages in East Gippsland and thoughtful donations like the portable power generator will allow brigades to continue their important work through tough circumstances.
"The generator allows our members to move it to where it is needed most during an emergency," ACFO Hunter said.
"Many of our brigades experienced power outages during last summer's bushfires which meant they lost light and were unable to use pumps for water."
Twenty small rural and remote brigades within the district have also received E-flares and helmet torches packages thanks to thoughtful donations to District 11 earlier this year.
"The distributed E-flares help guide firefighters to water sources when travelling through thick smoke that is creating poor visibility on the roads," ACFO Hunter said.
"They can also be used to assist in directing traffic when brigades attend motor vehicle collisions.
"These items are key safety items during bushfires and other incidents our crews attend all year round."
