A NEW fire station at Myrtleford promised by a Coalition state government would improve critical response times to fires, a fire chief says.
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Myrtleford CFA captain Gary Gunson said the outdated shed could not fit the whole fleet of five trucks.
He said the 30-year-old building could not shed two other trucks, which had also been subject to vandalism.
“We are governed by the CFA to turn out to fires in six minutes,” he said.
“If the trucks are outside we have to get keys from inside and get back out; even two minutes in a house fire can be the difference between saving your house.”
Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy pledged $2.1 million for a new Myrtleford CFA shed on Friday if the Coalition gained power in the November election.
Mr McCurdy said the new Ovens Valley Group headquarters to be built at McGeehan Crescent in the 2018-2019 financial year would shed all five vehicles and include a meeting room, incident control room, change rooms and kitchen.
“Locally there is an extremely high ratio of state-owned land to privately owned land so the very best firefighting facilities are essential,” he said.
“This new station will be built fit-for-purpose and will meet all the requirements of the local CFA.”
CFA Ovens Valley Group training officer Don Downey said a new shed would be invaluable.
With a 45-year association with the CFA, Mr Downey said equipment could be stored more safely and members would have better access to the trucks.
“There are two exits at the new site,” he said.
“It’s a much bigger area for the trucks and everything is ready for easier dispatch.”
Mr Downey said training opportunities were restricted at the Duke Street site.
“They’ll be a good area for training at the new shed and we’ll be able to do a lot more intensive training,” he said.
Mr McCurdy said the Myrtleford community had been through some tough economic times.
“The new facilities will also help the Myrtleford brigade to attract and retain volunteers,” he said.
“Daniel Andrews has fought tooth-and-nail to tear our CFA apart. Unlike Labor, The Nationals will fight to protect those who protect us.”
Myrtleford CFA has 44 volunteers and 22 registered firefighters.
