By LUKE VOOGT
BELLARINE SES member Adrian Chapman took the Voice for a tour of the unit’s newly upgraded headquarters two weeks ahead its official opening.
“It’s a great improvement from what it was,” he said.
Before the upgrade, the cluttered sheds meant members had to move equipment out of the way to access what they needed for emergency responses.
The new storage sheds mean they can now deploy the required equipment and vehicles much faster, Mr Chapman said.
“With the growing community on the Bellarine it’s definitely helping our ability to respond to more call outs,” he said.
The upgrades were completed with a $150,000 State Government grant and $61,000 from local SES fund-raisers.
Unit controller Dion Henderson thanked the community for its support and said the upgrades would provide significant benefits.
“These include the ability to deliver faster response times, improved training facilities and ability for greater access and asset capacity,” he said.
Bellarine SES will hold an open day at the headquarters, from 10am to 2pm on 26 June, with equipment displays for the general public.
The day will include a free sausage sizzle and a visit from SES mascot Paddy the Platypus.
Bellarine MP Lisa Neville and top members of Victoria Police, CFA and Ambulance Victoria will attend the open day.
