Bendigo SES volunteers will be able to come to the community’s aid more easily after securing a new rescue truck.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The unit had raised $115,000 through its own fundraising with the state government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program providing the remaining $100,000 needed to secure the vehicle.
Carrying a better array of equipment, the new truck is expected to help volunteers respond to incidents quickly and effectively.
In 2017/18, Bendigo SES responded to 550 requests for assistance including road-crash rescues, fallen trees, damaged buildings and floods.
Volunteers at the Bendigo SES unit have been working to replace their rescue truck for a number of years.
“It is about 10 years old and we like to swap them out at that age because things start wearing out,” Bendigo SES and public relations officer Bec Maskell said in March.
Many of the fundraisers involved volunteers rattling coin tins at traffic lights.
“When you see the SES rattling tins, that money goes directly to that SES unit,” Ms Maskell said.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the rescue truck gives Bendigo SES crew memebrs a significant boost.
“This rescue vehicle gives the volunteers at Bendigo SES a significant boost as they continue the great job they do in keeping the community safe,” she said.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria
