New era in fire fighting

New era in fire fighting

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City of Armadale Mayor Ruth Butterfield, Alita’s Jerry Haddad, Bernard Van Ryssen and Matt Kleyn, councillor Melissa Northcott, Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones, Rapid relief team member Barry Vermeulen, Director of Alita Constructions Alastair Kelyn and Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby. Photograph – Aaron Van Rongen.

The new volunteer fire station in Bedfordale was officially opened last week with a special event commemorating the opening.

Located on Admiral Road in Bedfordale, the $1.7 million facility has the capacity to act as an incident control centre during major operations.

Featuring four vehicle bays, improved training and communications facilities as well as the capacity to cater for growing personnel numbers and additional vehicles.

The new building is significantly larger than the brigade’s former headquarters, which were built by members of the brigade more than 35 years ago.

Members of the Bedfordale Brigade said they will miss the old station due to its significance in the operation of the brigade but are excited about the new facilities.

The facilities also include an entertainment and barbecue to allow the brigade to cater for community events and functions.

The State Government supported the construction of the facility with a $372,000 Emergency Services Levy grant and $51,000 for water tanks as part of the WA Recovery Plan, while the City of Armadale contributed $1.2 million and the brigade’s volunteers fundraised more than $54,000.

Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby joined Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM and City of Armadale Mayor Ruth Butterfield to open the station.

“This station not only provides improved amenities and training facilities for local firefighters, but importantly, it has the capacity to act as an incident control centre during major operations,” he said.

Photographs – Aaron Van Rongen.