Station pledge for firies

Celebrate the announcement with Minister Kim Wells and Gembrook MP Brad Battin are Clematis firefighers, back from left: Lieutenant Scott Graham, Henk Eyssens, Simon King, Lieutenant Stuart Edwards, Lieutenant Glenn Brown, Steve Fuller, Steve Parkes and Bruce Ratcliff. Front: Brian Crook, Mark Lane, Lieutenant Shane Miller and Captain Jarryd Miller . 129011 Picture: CASEY NEILL

By CASEY NEILL

CLEMATIS firefighters hope a $900,000 station upgrade and a new truck will boost membership and safety.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin and Police and Emergency Services and Bushfire Response Minister Kim Wells on Monday announced that a re-elected Coalition Government would deliver the project.
Captain Jarryd Miller said the brigade was overdue for a new medium-sized truck to replace its 17-year-old model, but the most modern design couldn’t fit into the current station.
The shed was built in the early 1970s and didn’t even have toilets until 2001.
“We’re one of the only stations like this that’s left at the moment, that hasn’t had an upgrade in quite some time,” Captain Miller said.
“It’s very hard to attract members when they can go to a brigade that’s right next door where you’ve got a brand new station.
“We’re really hoping that a new station and new truck will boost our membership.”
The new truck has a $350,000 price tag and would improve communications and safety.
“Words can’t even describe how big it will be,” Captain Miller said.
“With the new crew cab you don’t have guys on the back in the elements, they’re not breathing in smoke – they can sit in the nice air-conditioned cabin with the rest of the crew.”
The truck would join a $100,000 light tanker, which the brigade received funding for earlier this year.
“We’re going to have three vehicles that can carry water, which is really good for the area,” Captain Miller said.
The Clematis crew attends about 100 callouts each year, with a 100 per cent attendance rate.
Mr Battin recently completed a CFA minimum skills course at Clematis.
“CFAs they are about fighting fires, they’re about car accidents, but they’re about building communities,” he said.
“This is one of the best.”