Tatura Fire Brigade, located 20 kilometres south-west of Shepparton, is receiving a new home.
The new station features a three-bay motor room with drive-through bays for emergency vehicles, has bifold front and rear roller doors and a concrete apron at the front with direct access to the road.
Other features include a brigade office, a group office, multipurpose room, kitchen, breathing apparatus room, communications alcove, as well as male and female toilets and a unisex disabled toilet at the rear side of the motor room.
With 40 new hooks for station gear in the new turnout area, brigade members will have plenty of space to continue to provide a great service to the local community.
With a building space of more than 560 square metres, Tatura volunteers are gaining much more space compared with the old two-bay station.
Tatura Fire Brigade Captain Trevor Franklin said the most important aspect of this new station was the improved health and safety at the facility, and the additional capability to conduct training on site.
“We no longer have appliances parked close to each other, and we have separate changing facilities away from the engine room,” Trevor said.
“We’ve conducted annual ‘cluster’ training, which is interagency, often with the local police, SES or Ambulance Victoria, and this was previously held on public roads and areas. This training can now be conducted in the boundary of the station, providing a safer training environment for our members and the other agencies.”
The brigade scouted possible locations to present to leadership and Land and Building (L&B) Services and drew up a shortlist of six locations that gave the brigade the desired space for their training needs. The decision was made by L&B Services to build the new station at Ross Street, and because the land was previously owned by DELWP the purchase was made easier.
Trevor also considered how the new spaces would allow the use of multiple vehicles in training, including those from nearby stations, during combined training events.
“Part of the initial planning for the station included having enough area that we could have multiple brigades take part in training at the rear of the station,” Trevor said. “This location is fantastic, as we also have direct access to our running track at the racecourse which is a part of our regular training routine.”
Outside the building, there is also a five-bay shed, and external site work includes creating a sealed crossover, new driveway, on-site car parking for volunteers, and perimeter fencing.
With two large water tanks, as well as landscaping for the property, the volunteers said they will enjoy a beautiful new facility both inside and out.
“Apart from the training benefits, we’re most looking forward to being able to host our own brigade functions and events such as annual dinners. We’ll be able to cater for the group with the extra space and new kitchen.
“Tatura Fire Brigade wants to acknowledge the excellent support from ACFO Owen, Commander Dedman and Commander Harris to assist in the planning and execution of the building program,” Trevor said.
“We can’t thank all the people involved enough for their support.
“This new station is a real winner for our brigade and for the Tatura community.”
