The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has used community donations from the 2019-20 fire season to buy eight new vehicles and boost its capability to ensure communities are as prepared as possible for fires.
Chief Officer of CFA, Jason Heffernan said the new roaming Mobile Engagement Units (MEU) were an added asset to help CFA members educate communities.
“There will be a vehicle located in each of CFA’s five regions and the remaining three vehicles available for members on request,” CO Heffernan said.
“There are many features that will be a great benefit for CFA members including a large TV screen on the side of the vans which shows high quality digital content and our campaign messaging,” he said.
“A PA system and an awning attached to the side of the van will also be incredibly beneficial for those having conversations with our communities, while the vans will also be equipped with a defibrillator.
“The CFA mission is to protect lives and property and the best way to do this is to prevent emergencies occurring in the first place, and ensuring people have the right information is a key part of that.”
CO Heffernan said the MEUs were custom-fitted Ford Transit vans that could be driven with a regular licence.
Chair of the CFA Board, Greg Wilson said it would not have been possible to build the vehicles without the generosity of the Victorian community.
“We were extremely grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support and donations over the extreme 2019-20 fire season,” Mr Wilson said.
“We are proud to see the results of that generosity now benefiting CFA volunteers and the community, and the delivery of these Mobile Engagement Units are one of the big projects to come from these donations,” he said.
