By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Cranbourne CFA has received funding from the State Government to upgrade the station on Arundel Street to better accommodate the growing members of the brigade.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera announced on Monday 24 July that the Cranbourne CFA brigade would be receiving $68,664 to go towards much-needed station upgrades.
Mr Perera said the money would allow the CFA to better serve the Cranbourne community.
“This is an exciting day for our local area; and I congratulate all our grant recipients and hope that it assist them the outstanding job they do in keeping the community safe,” he said.
“I encourage all volunteer brigades and units in our local area to visit the Emergency Management Victoria website and apply for a grant.”
Currently, the integrated CFA station at Cranbourne has volunteer uniforms stored in the shed between the trucks and no area specific for female firefighters.
Over the last 18 months, the Cranbourne CFA has been forced to store turnout gear in the main shed and in a disused shower room.
Cranbourne CFA volunteer Lieutenant Dennis Latchford said the money would go towards upgrading the station to be able to store everyone’s turnout gear in the same space and provide an area for female firefighters’ privacy.
Mr Latchford said all members of the brigade were excited to be able to get the ball rolling on these upgrades.
“It’s been about five to six years working on it and there has been a lot of paperwork but we’re rapt as far as our gear goes,” he said.
“This plan solves so many safety issues with the gear and the trucks; it’s definitely what we wanted in the end.”
Mr Latchford also said he was hopeful that with the introduction of a female friendly turnout space, more women in the community would be encouraged to take on a firefighting role.
“The more facilities we can provide for females, we hope, is going to encourage them to join up,” he said.
“We want give them that privacy and make sure everyone in the station is as comfortable as possible.”
The grants announced by Mr Perera also include $3944 for the Clyde CFA to purchase durable hoses.
Cranbourne CFA is planning to have the upgrades to their station underway in the upcoming few months.
