General News
19 January, 2023
CFA van to roam region
THE CFA has generous members of the community to thank for a brand new fleet of vehicles. A CFA roaming mobile engagement unit bought with community donations will soon be serving the Wimmera region. The unit is one of eight purchased with funds...
THE CFA has generous members of the community to thank for a brand new fleet of vehicles.A CFA roaming mobile engagement unit bought with community donations will soon be serving the Wimmera region.The unit is one of eight purchased with funds collected during the 2019-20 fire season.CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the mobile engagement units would be "an added asset" to assist in educating communities and would be placed in strategic locations across the state.“There are many features that will be a great benefit for CFA members, including a large TV screen on the side of the van which shows high-quality digital content and our campaign messaging," Mr Heffernan said.“A PA system and an awning attached to the side of the van will also be incredibly beneficial for those having conversations with our communities, while each van will also be equipped with a defibrillator.“The CFA mission is to protect lives and property and the best way to do this is to prevent emergencies occurring in the first place."Ensuring people have the right information is a key part of that.”CFA board chair Greg Wilson said the investment in the eight new vehicles would not have been possible without the generosity of the community.“We were extremely grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support and donations over the extreme 2019-20 fire season,” Mr Wilson said.“We are proud to see the results of that generosity now benefiting CFA volunteers and the community."The delivery of these units is one of the big projects to come from these donations.”The vehicles are custom-fitted Ford Transit vans that can be driven with a regular licence.Five of the vehicles will be located in the CFA’s five Victorian regions, with the remaining three to be available to members on request.Horsham and Warracknabel regions will have access to the unit based in Hamilton.