New appliance for Yalgoo firefighters

19/4/94

A combined effort by the Yalgoo community, the Golden Grove Joint Venture Gold Mine and the Lotteries Commission of Western Australia has resulted in a new fire appliance for the shire.

Emergency Services Minister Bob Wiese handed over the keys to the new four litre Toyota to Yalgoo Bush Fire Brigade Deputy Group Officer, Mr Tom Morrissey, at a special ceremony today.

Mr Wiese said the appliance underlined the direction the State Government and the Bush Fires Board of WA had taken in improving standards in equipment and training for volunteers and their brigades throughout the State.

"This new appliance represents a move toward building a new and improved rural fighting organisation," Mr Wiese said.

"This summer has been an exceptionally busy one for volunteers in the pastoral areas and many thousands of dollars have been spent on suppressing these fires."

Mr Wiese paid special tribute to the Golden Grove Joint Venture for its generous contribution to the Yalgoo Shire and the community in providing funding to supplement the Lotteries Commission grant for the new Fast Attack appliance.

"It is good to see the bushfire organisation, the State Emergency Service, West Australian Fire Brigade Volunteers, Police and Golden Grove personnel all working together to provide this much-needed fire protection base," the Minister said.

The new $40,000 four wheel drive vehicle was built and designed by Perth-based engineering firm TL Engineering of Bayswater.

"This appliance represents an important development for industry because it demonstrates that equipment needed by our fire services can by designed and built right here in WA," Mr Wiese said.

After commissioning the new fire appliance, Mr Wiese also presented certificates to brigade members who had completed Stage 1 of the Brigades Training Program.

Media contact:  Paul Plowman (09) 222 9595