New tanker for glenlyon fire brigade

Glenlyon Fire Brigade’s century-long commitment to keeping the community safe has been boosted with a new state-of-the-art tanker.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas, representing Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino, today officially handed over the keys for the brigade’s new light tanker.

The $230,000 Light Tanker Crew Cab carries more water, equipment and firefighters than the tanker it is replacing, which had reached the end if its service life. The brigade will continue to operate two tankers.

The government provided $200,000 for the new vehicle, with the brigade contributing $30,000 thanks to fundraising efforts and generous donations from community groups.

Despite being a small community, members of the Glenlyon CFA have assisted in major blazes, including the 2009 Black Saturday fires at Kinglake West and the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires at Macedon and East Trentham.

Ms Thomas said "Firefighters play a vital role in their local communities and need to have the best equipment to fulfil their life-saving tasks."

The new vehicle will help Glenlyon’s brigade members continue their incredible tradition of community service. The tanker will also provide a more immediate capacity to respond to local incidents, while the other tanker is deployed to incidents outside the local area. The Glenlyon CFA also unveiled a plaque at today’s ceremony acknowledging the contribution of former brigade captain Franklin Brunt, who passed away in 2016.