By Deanne Jeffers
THE CHALLENGE of maintaining equipment amongst responding to emergencies in the community is now a lot less laborious for members at Cosgrove & Pine Lodge Fire Brigade, having benefitted from a grant for a new drying rack.
Jason Watts, Cosgrove & Pine Lodge Fire Brigade captain, said the $8,200 grant from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) will assist firefighters to dry out hoses, eliminating health and safety risks and making it simple to detect wear and tear on equipment.
“Previously to dry the hoses, we’d have to lay them on the ground in the shed after a job, which creates an OH&S issue. Otherwise, we would have to rely on neighbouring brigades’ facilities, which then takes more time from members that could be spent with family,” he said.
Volunteers played a crucial role in the implementation of these upgrades, contributing their time and effort to install and assemble the drying rack kit and concrete slab.
Cosgrove & Pine Lodge Fire Brigade is a small but mighty rural CFA branch with around 26 members and has a proud history of resourcefulness and proactive efforts to improve its facilities. Previous upgrades, including the acquisition of a quick-fill pump trailer through a Bendigo Bank community grant, and renovations done 10 years ago to insulate and line the shed, install a kitchenette and provide air conditioning, have significantly enhanced the comfort and functionality of the brigade’s premises.
