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19 January 2024
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Fire stations of the world: New fire station opens in Cowes, Phillip Island in Australia
Phillip Island had a fantastic opening ceremony in December 2023 for the upgraded fire station on Ventnor Road, Cowes. The brigade was joined by CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, Deputy Chief Officer South East Trevor Owen as well as Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale MP, who was representing the Minister for Emergency Services. Mayor, Cr Clare Le Serve also joined the celebrations along with some local staff who are also dedicated CFA volunteers. The Phillip Island fire brigade was established in 1937 and currently houses three fire trucks and a forward command vehicle. This new facility was built at a cost of just over $3 million and delivers on a critical community need in Cowes.
The Phillip Island fire brigade is completely 100 percent run by volunteers, currently boasting 57 dedicated members reflecting the diversity of the community.
Ms Crugnale said that the new station featured a meeting room equipped with training resources to support brigade and community education, a modern kitchen, office rooms, workshop and storage areas and a breathing apparatus room.
The large engine bay houses the brigade’s numerous firefighting vehicles and includes direct access to two separate change areas for members, enhancing efficiency during an emergency.
The station also includes parking facilities for members, a secure backyard with enough space for onsite training and a back-up generator to ensure the station can always be powered.
The brigade is supported by its membership of 57 volunteers, of which 20 are female, Ms Crugnale was delighted to acknowledge. “It has responded to 166 callouts since the beginning of the year, including rescues, fires and explosions and hazardous conditions,” Ms Crugnale said.
The brigade has served the Phillip Island community for almost 90 years, and for more than 60 years worked out of Settlement Road in Cowes.
Located in District 8, the brigade forms part of the CFA Bass Coast Group along with Bass, Corinella, Dalyston, French Island, Glen Alvie, Kernot-Grantville, Kilcunda, San Remo and Wonthaggi brigades.
“It’s such an honour to be part of the official opening and celebration of this new fire station and I want to take this opportunity to thank the leadership team, including former Captain Gary Grace, and members for their fierce advocacy and determination, their remarkable fundraising efforts to make this a reality and our generous local community who have walked beside them in support,” Ms Crugnale said.
“Our firefighters now have a stunning, spacious and fit for purpose modern facility which enables them to continue their incredible work protecting the Phillip Island and surrounding community during emergencies. This is a remarkable tight knit, highly regarded and respected brigade, a big family that is literally visually enmeshed in our community – whether it is beyond the fireground at their regular street BBQs, at local events like the Moto GP and markets, educational visits to schools or forming strike teams at a moment’s notice to go to fire affected areas such as recently in East Gippsland and Queensland. They work incredibly hard and are super dedicated volunteers that support, inform, and keep us safe in so many ways.”
Sources: Phillip Island Fire Brigade
The Phillip Island fire brigade is completely 100 percent run by volunteers, currently boasting 57 dedicated members reflecting the diversity of the community.
Ms Crugnale said that the new station featured a meeting room equipped with training resources to support brigade and community education, a modern kitchen, office rooms, workshop and storage areas and a breathing apparatus room.
The large engine bay houses the brigade’s numerous firefighting vehicles and includes direct access to two separate change areas for members, enhancing efficiency during an emergency.
The station also includes parking facilities for members, a secure backyard with enough space for onsite training and a back-up generator to ensure the station can always be powered.
The brigade is supported by its membership of 57 volunteers, of which 20 are female, Ms Crugnale was delighted to acknowledge. “It has responded to 166 callouts since the beginning of the year, including rescues, fires and explosions and hazardous conditions,” Ms Crugnale said.
The brigade has served the Phillip Island community for almost 90 years, and for more than 60 years worked out of Settlement Road in Cowes.
Located in District 8, the brigade forms part of the CFA Bass Coast Group along with Bass, Corinella, Dalyston, French Island, Glen Alvie, Kernot-Grantville, Kilcunda, San Remo and Wonthaggi brigades.
“It’s such an honour to be part of the official opening and celebration of this new fire station and I want to take this opportunity to thank the leadership team, including former Captain Gary Grace, and members for their fierce advocacy and determination, their remarkable fundraising efforts to make this a reality and our generous local community who have walked beside them in support,” Ms Crugnale said.
“Our firefighters now have a stunning, spacious and fit for purpose modern facility which enables them to continue their incredible work protecting the Phillip Island and surrounding community during emergencies. This is a remarkable tight knit, highly regarded and respected brigade, a big family that is literally visually enmeshed in our community – whether it is beyond the fireground at their regular street BBQs, at local events like the Moto GP and markets, educational visits to schools or forming strike teams at a moment’s notice to go to fire affected areas such as recently in East Gippsland and Queensland. They work incredibly hard and are super dedicated volunteers that support, inform, and keep us safe in so many ways.”
Sources: Phillip Island Fire Brigade
