During the Indigo Valley fires of 2015, thermal imaging cameras could have helped the Leneva rural fire brigade save hectares of land.
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The camera is among equipment brigade members are now seeking to purchase with the public’s assistance.
Third lieutenant Michael Colegrove said the fundraising campaign was launched as numerous brigades were bidding for funding from the CFA.
He said Wodonga brigades’ use of the cameras in the Tangambalanga fire earlier this month showed their benefits.
“We can detect where hotspots are underground and in tree stumps,” Mr Colegrove said.
“In the case of the fire that started a month after (the Indigo Valley fire), they suspect it started from tree roots after the initial fire.
“The wind picks up, it starts burning again and off it goes.
“With the cameras, we hopefully don’t have to come back again to fight another fire.”
Mr Colegrove said the brigade also sought to purchase defibrillators.
“Thankfully we’ve never needed one, but if you don’t have one and do need one, it’s too late,” he said.
“Some of the countryside we walk up and down is very steep and a lot of our volunteers are older than 50.
“We are a long way from the ambulance in an emergency
“It’s not just about jump-starting people – they are a great resource for giving directions and checking vital signs.”
First lieutenant Cameron Potter said cameras and defibrillators were the biggest priority, but a second truck was also of interest.
“In the Wodonga group, we’re now the only brigade with just one vehicle,” he said.
“Generally what happens is as soon as our pager goes off, we have 10 to 15 members show up.
“We can only fit five on board, so the first five hop on and off they go.
“Having that second truck means we’ll be able to get more members out to actually fight the fires.
A donation tin – or helmet, rather – is set up at the Woolworths at White Box Rise, Wodonga.
Bunnings Wodonga is also hosting a fundraising barbecue on Saturday, January 28 from 8am.
Mr Colegrove said the community had already been incredibly supportive and he was confident at least some of the brigade’s goals would be met.
“I emptied the helmet the other night and there were several fifty dollar notes in it,” he said.
“We’ve raised about $1000 so far.
“Many people in the public have been fantastic.”