The City of Bunbury has struck a deal with one of the region's firefighting groups over the future of one of its resources.
On Wednesday, April 4, City of Bunbury chief executive officer Mal Osborne met with representatives from the Bunbury Volunteer Bushfire Brigade over the status of its Nissan Patrol Utility light tanker.
They, joined by City of Bunbury councillors along with Association of Volunteer Bushfire Brigades president Dave Gossage, discussed the long-term future of the vehicle.
According to the City, the fleet vehicle has exceeded its operational age and would likely need to be replaced.
The vehicle has been in the Bunbury Volunteer Bushfire Brigade’s possession since 2002.
It had been used by City of Bunbury Rangers before being handed over to the firefighting unit.
The Nissan Patrol was regularly used to fight fires in the Greater Bunbury region.
At the meeting, Mr Osborne told the group that the City had been negotiating with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to acquire a new purpose-built vehicle.
The group told Mr Osborne and the councillors that the Nissan Patrol was required for reaching the front line of every bush fire in the region.
Mr Osborne said an independent inspection was required for the vehicle but the car could stay with the brigade in the mean time.
He said the City and DFES would work together to greatly assist the brigade in the future.
“Our aim is to ensure the brigade has the latest and greatest and most importantly, correct equipment to suit their requirements,” he said.
“We will continue to work with the brigade to ascertain what the most appropriate vehicle will be and in the interim the Nissan – subject to inspection – will remain in their care.”
The Association of Volunteer Bushfire Brigades was pleased the City and the brigade were able to find some common ground.
They said both parties agreed that the safety of all firefighting appliances was paramount.
