Hoon cars help rescue effort

Lilydale SES crews training on the abandoned hoon car. Picture: MELISSA MEEHAN

By MELISSA MEEHAN

FOR THE first time, SES and CFA members will begin Jaws of Life training on seized hoon cars.
Lilydale SES volunteers today demonstrated how seized hoon cars will assist in Jaws of Life training for road accident rescues.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells and Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe attended the exercise in Lilydale, which saw an abandoned hoon car seized by Victoria Police ripped apart by Lilydale SES Unit volunteers as they practised car crash rescues.
“Last year, the Victorian Government was pleased to announce its support for a Victoria Police initiative that will see forfeited or abandoned hoon cars provided to CFA and SES for Jaws of Life training,” Mr Wells said.
Hoons who refuse to pay their fines and impoundment costs at the expiry of the impoundment period will have their vehicle deemed abandoned and it will become the property of Victoria Police.
Ms Fyffe welcomed the initiative, which will benefit the local Lilydale SES Unit which attends up to 800 call-outs per year.
For more, see next week’s paper.