By ANEEKA SIMONIS
THEY’RE often first to respond to emergencies in Cardinia Shire’s fast-growing area, yet Beaconsfield CFA is limited by their out-dated ‘tin shed’ station which they say poses safety dangers to volunteer fire-fighters.
Beaconsfield Fire Brigade, which operates out of a station built more than 40 years ago, currently respond to up to 200 call-outs per year – a figure steadily rising with the growing population.
Beaconsfield CFA Captain Paul Hayes was joined with Gembrook MP Brad Battin and a group of volunteer fire-fighters and residents to campaign for the State Government to fund the station’s overdue upgrade.
“The existing Beaconsfield station is now well and truly past its use-by date with no room to allow additional appliances to cover our ever-expanding population and risk.
“The time is now for a new station for the Beaconsfield community,” said Mr Hayes on behalf of volunteers who attend to emergencies in Beaconsfield, Berwick, Officer and Pakenham.
“We have six families moving into the area every day, so our call-outs are going up every year. We need more equipment and more appliances.”
The Liberal Party promised to spend $2.2 million on a station upgrade if it returned to power last November.
It is understood the station will be relocated to a larger area to house more fire-fighting appliances and equipment to meet growing demands.
Mr Battin, who had invited Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett to inspect Beaconsfield’s outdated facilities, has currently collected around 500 signatures in support of the upgrade which will be tabled in State Parliament ahead of the State Budget announced in May.
“We have seen a rapid increase not only in the number of people in the area but also in services, with new schools, shopping centres, community centres and facilities in the area.
“It’s a rural station trying to service an urban area and these guys need the safety equipment to do that.”
Fire-fighter Rob Smith said he and other volunteers were in constant danger as they hurriedly geared up in a half-metre gap between the station wall and fire truck which was primed for emergency response.
“It’s very dangerous. When there’s an emergency, we are frantically trying to get dressed as quick as we can to get out there so people can knock into each other or the vehicle,” he said.
“There is no space to get ready safely.”
Mr Battin said the lack of space in the nine-metre wide station in addition to the lack of parking created serious safety issues for the station’s 50 volunteer fire-fighters.
“This would not comply under most OHS regulations in workplaces,” he said.
Former captain Ron Woodfine said fire-fighters aimed to be in the truck and on their way to an emergency within four minutes of getting a call-out, which was often received from their homes.
“We have been pushing for this upgrade for 25 years,” he said.
The Gazette contacted Minister Garrett to understand whether the government will fund the station’s new headquarters, but did not receive a response before deadline.
The fire station, in an area with a history of extreme bushfire risk, was built in 1944 and was last upgraded in 1973.
To sign the petition to upgrade the station, visit Mr Battin’s website or visit his electorate office in Berwick.
