New tanker for Yallingup
Yallingup Coastal Bushfire Brigade has received a new water tanker to boost its fire fighting capabilities.
The 3.4 urban tanker – so-called because it stores 3000 litres of water and is four wheel drive – can tackle structural fires as well as bushfires.
The new appliance is part of the brigade’s drive to become ‘dual registered’ under the Capes Enhancement Program, following the Keelty Report.
Yallingup Coastal fire control officer Paul Blight said it was a big boost to fire fighting in the area.
“The 3.4 features breathing apparatus which means we now have a fire and rescue capacity for structural fires,” he said.
“The training has been going well; there’s a high degree of commitment physically in order to become a dual registered brigade, but the change been well received by the crew.”
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Capes district manager Danny Mosconi said the tanker was part of a wider roll-out of new appliances and resources for volunteer fire fighters which would improve response times and capabilities in the region.
Emergency Services Minister Troy Buswell said the Government would invest more than $7million in the next four years to increase the number of fire appliances in the region, provide additional equipment and improve facilities to support local volunteer fire fighters.
He said the Capes Enhancement Program was “an innovative approach” to empowering volunteer brigades, which could “be rolled out to other parts of the State”.
