Fire water recycle plan

By Paul Pickering
AS BUSHFIRE season fast approaches, the Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade has launched a bid to gain State Government backing for equipment to recycle water used during training.
Earlier this month, the brigade’s vision for a water-pump training facility – which would save up to 320,000 litres of water every month – was tabled in State Parliament by Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling.
Having spoken to captain John Thompson about the possibility of establishing a regional training facility at the brigade’s Ferntree Gully headquarters, Mr Wakeling urged Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron to provide the requisite $47,500 to give the project the green light.
Mr Thompson last week explained that the funding would allow for the installation of two 22,500-litre tanks, a diversion pit to collect water used during training and a pump and filter system to prepare the water for reuse.
He said the facility would be the only one of its kind in Knox, meaning other local brigades could also use it for ongoing training.
Mr Wakeling said the State Government should increase its support for local fire brigades, and this was the ideal application.
“It’s quite a simple solution because they’re wanting to retain water on site to be used for their training needs,” he explained.
“Otherwise, they’re just drawing from the water supply and pouring it down the drain.”
Mr Wakeling is still awaiting a response from the State Government in relation to his speech on 1 November.