Kallista-The Patch CFA is getting ready to welcome a brand-new tanker, after nearly 30 years of service – marking a major milestone for the brigade.
The official handover of keys will take place on Sunday, 13 July, at 11am, a moment that has been eagerly anticipated by the brigade members who have been patiently waiting for the upgrade.
Captain Luke McLean couldn’t be more excited about the new addition, which he describes as a major step up for the team.
“We’re absolutely stoked. This new truck is 25 years ahead of where the old one was,” Mr McLean said.
“It’s going to make our crew safer in so many ways, and it’s going to help us serve the community better. For the first time in our history, we’ll have air conditioning, and there’s a lot more room inside, which means everyone will be safely secured in the cab, not out in the rain on the back of the truck anymore.”
The new tanker is packed with state-of-the-art features designed to improve both safety and effectiveness during emergencies.
The dual-cab design allows the crew to remain safely inside the truck, while the truck’s pump capacity is now double what it was before, providing more power to tackle fires.
For the first time, the truck also boasts an in-cab pump start, meaning that in situations like a bushfire, the crew can start the pump and get water flowing without leaving the vehicle.
In addition, there’s a front monitor that allows firefighters to fight fires from inside the cab, if needed.
After more than two decades, the truck the new tanker is replacing is a 1998 model, which has had its time and Mr McLean said it’s a bittersweet moment for the brigade.
“It was a great truck, and we’re sad to see it go. But it was definitely time for retirement,” he said.
The handover event is more than just a truck delivery, it represents a new era for the Kallista-The Patch CFA.
Mr McLean said while it’s not every day a brigade receives a new tanker, it is a reflection of the hard work and advocacy from the district team and the support from the local community.
“This is something we’ve been working towards for a long time, and we’re really lucky to have it. A lot of brigades are still operating with trucks as old as the one we’re replacing, so this is a big deal for us,” Mr McLean said.
While it’s a major win for the brigade, the captain pointed out that the road to securing the new truck wasn’t easy.
“The CFA is significantly underfunded in its truck replacement budget, and we’ve had to push really hard for this,” he said.
“Our district team did a fantastic job advocating for our area, we owe them a huge thanks.”
Alongside Mr McLean, the brigade is also grateful to community safety coordinator, Bronwyn Taylor, whose dedication helped bring the event together.
“She’s been the driving force behind making this celebration happen,” the captain said.
The handover event on Sunday will be a private celebration for brigade volunteers only.
Mr McLean said while the new truck is larger, there will be more limited access to some of the narrower roads and driveways in the area.
He asked the community to check and prune back any overgrown areas, making sure their streets and driveways are clear in case of an emergency.
“We’re looking at above-average fire danger this winter, and it could be a challenging summer for areas like the Dandenongs and Yarra Valley,” he said.
“If you haven’t started thinking about your fire plan, now is the time. If your plan doesn’t involve leaving early, I’d seriously recommend you rethink it.”
The brigade’s commitment to keeping the community safe has never been clearer, and with their new tanker, the Kallista-The Patch CFA is ready to take on whatever comes their way.
For more information or to take a look at the new truck, locals can pop by the station on Sundays between 10am and 12pm from 20 July onwards.
