Pumps relieve blaze pressure

UPWEY Fire Brigade has been given a boost for the summer fire season following the donation of two new 1100 litre water transfer pumps.
Local businessmen Brian Bloomer and Neil Richards donated the pumps to the brigade on Wednesday, 20 December.
Captain Peter Marke said the pumps will be used to fill tankers using water from local swimming pools and dams in the elevated areas of Upwey where the water reticulation is poor during major fires.
Capt Marke said the pumps can transfer 1100 litres per minute and fill a fire tanker in three minutes.
“With these pumps we can map out all areas in Upwey with swimming pools and dams to find filling points during bushfires,” he said.
Capt Marke said the donation was a great gesture and one that will benefit the Upwey community.
“The pumps will allow resources normally deployed to fill the tanks to be used for direct firefighting,” he said.