After recently celebrating their 75th anniversary, Bayles Fire Brigade received their ultimate gift in the form of a new ultra-light tanker.
Jamie Hansen - Operations Manager, District 8; Tim English - Bayles Captain; Jordan Crugnale - MP - Member for Bass; Cr Graeme Moor - Mayor, Cardinia Shire
Following last year's busy bushfire season, the new ultra-light tanker is a timely new addition.
Bayles Captain Tim English said the brigade had been busier than ever in the past few years.
"We've been involved in all major campaign fires from Ash Wednesday, Alpine Fires, Black Saturday fires of 2009, the 2012-2013 Gippsland Fires, the fires of February 2014, as well as the fires in Grantville and Bunyip earlier this year.
"The new ultra-light tanker is exactly the new appliance we need to ensure we can keep responding to these types of fires."
The ultra-light tanker has several features including a 500L tank, an independent pump to help draw water quickly and safely, and a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
"The new tanker is highly manoeuvrable, which means we can quickly respond to grass and scrub fires. We can turn out faster than before as all our members can drive an operate it as it only requires a car licence.
The ultra-light tanker was funded via the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) and via fundraising by the 27-member brigade.
"We are a small brigade, I want to thank all our members and our community for rallying together to raise $21,500.
"Ensuring our community gets the very best response, that's what this is all about."
The new tanker was funded as part of the Victorian Government's 2017-18 round of VESEP which provided $110,000 to the brigade.
"With a hot and dry summer expected, it's the perfect timing for our brigade to receive this new tanker."
