By JESSE GRAHAM
BELGRAVE South and Heights fire fighters are calling for public assistance to help them become the first in the state to get a new ultra-light vehicle.
Belgave Heights and South CFA Captain Sean Grondman told the Mail that the brigade had spent the past few months running a fundraising appeal with an ultimate goal of raising $15,000.
The fundraising money will go towards a new, ultra-light specialised vehicle which will bolster the brigade’s fleet and be the first of its kind in any CFA fleet.
Capt Grondman said the community response to the appeal – the first in almost five years – had been poor, and that about $4000 had been raised compared to more than $10,000 in the last appeal.
He said the vehicle has been specially designed by the brigade and will be able to carry extra crew members and 700 litres of water.
“We’re the guinea pigs,” Capt Grondman said.
“It’s larger than current slip-on vehicles but smaller than a tanker.
“It will easily access bushier and hard to access places and give us a quicker response.”
The brigade is aiming to have the funds – a total of $140,000 – raised by the end of March so that the vehicle would arrive in April, and urged the community to help with the project.
“I’d encourage people to donate what they can,” Capt Grondman said.
He said the brigade was organising a fundraising event with one of the members who works as a personal trainer.
People can donate pledges and put the trainer through her paces with exercises and routines.
For more information on the truck, donations or the fundraising event, contact Belgrave South and Heights CFA on 9754 5298 or via the Belgrave South CFA Facebook page.
