The Shire has been given two new vehicles to help combat the 97% bushfire prone area.
The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale will be able to react to emergency situations faster and with greater assuredness thanks to two new light tanker vehicles.
Worth a combined $300,000, the vehicles will replace existing aging tankers and give volunteer firefighters the ability to better navigate the severe off-road conditions faced in fire zones.
Funding was secured through the Emergency Services Levy’s Local Government Grant Scheme which provides financial assistance towards firefighting appliances, vehicles and building maintenance.
Shire President, Councillor Michelle Rich said the light tankers were a valuable addition to the Shire’s six volunteer bushfire brigades and would help improve community safety when it was most needed.
“These vehicles will increase the capacity of the Shire’s bushfire brigades to battle fires in remote and hostile terrain, which will help protect lives and homes,” Cr Rich said.
“The Shire is committed to supporting our volunteer brigades by helping in the acquisition of equipment that allows them to be as efficient, effective and safe as possible.”
Over 97 per cent of the Shire is considered bushfire prone.
Serpentine Jarrahdale’s six volunteer bushfire brigades are made up of nearly 400 active volunteers, with the vast majority drawn from local suburbs. Local bushfire volunteers attend between 250 – 300 incidents each year, both locally and outside the Shire.
With summer approaching, Cr Rich reminded residents to have a bushfire action plan ready in case of an emergency.
“Bushfire season is upon us and that means all residents, particularly those who live amongst bushland, should have a clear understanding of what to do in an emergency,” she said.
Volunteer brigades across the Shire are currently recruiting new members for both firefighting and support roles, full training is provided.
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