Bank donates to brigade

A vital piece of equipment to repair and extend the life of hoses has been donated to the Drouin Fire Brigade by the Drouin and District Community Bendigo Bank.

Costing almost $6000 the vulcaniser will reduce the number of hoses that need to be replaced at a considerable cost.

The equipment was handed over to the Drouin brigade by the bank representatives Rod Dunlop and Rob Celeda.

The brigade relies on community donations to fund equipment with hoses costing from $230 for a 30-metre long 64 millimetre canvas hose to $625 for a 30-metre length of duraline (rubber compound) hose.

Drouin brigade member and executive officer at Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria Mark Dryden said hoses needed to be tested after each use to ensure they don’t have leaks and lose water pressure when needed at a fire.

Brigades are equipped with a specific number of hoses per appliance and hold a few spares at the fire station but there is not a never-ending supply of them due to the cost, he said.

Faulty hoses can delay a fire fight and at times could put volunteer firemen and the public at risk.

Left: At the presentation by Drouin and District Community Bendigo Bank of a vulcanizer to repair hoses used by Drouin Fire Brigade were, from left, were brigade captain John Atkins, Andrew Grant, Natalie Young, bank representatives Rod Dunlop and Rob Celeda, and Marcus Mills.