By Aaron Cordy
LIBERAL Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell welcomed the new pumper platform fire truck to Fire Station 75 in Shepparton on Thursday, December 19.
The fire truck’s journey to Shepparton took more than a few unexpected turns, the most notable one, despite being earmarked for Shepparton was the State Government’s plan to send the pumper to Sunshine Fire Station instead.
Campaigning from local MPs, which Ms Lovell was at the forefront of, and the United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall saw the fire truck reach its intended destination.
“The new pumper platform fire truck has finally arrived in Shepparton, which is great news for fire safety in Shepparton and across the northeast of Victoria,” said Ms Lovell.
“The pumper platform will significantly increase the region’s firefighting capabilities by providing the ability to fight fires from a height, which is particularly important for protecting facilities with large footprints like food manufacturing plants, cool stores and greenhouses.”
The risk assessment conducted clearly marked Shepparton as having a high-risk profile with its taller buildings and large food manufacturing plants, making the Government’s reversal a vital win for the area.
“A pumper with an aerial platform will also give the ability to perform rescues at height at the growing number of tall buildings around Shepparton, like our hospital, courthouse, and art museum,” said Ms Lovell
