A BENDIGO manufacturer will produce 30,000 new sets of day-to-day workwear for the Country Fire Authority.
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The $9 million contract will see Australian Defence Apparel Bendigo create the garments that include shirts, trousers, shorts and jackets in a "patriot blue" colour.
As part of the contract, Goulburn Valley E&M will supply belts and buckles, Harcor Security Seals will provide caps and wide-brim hats, and Stewart & Heaton will supply epaulettes and patches.
ADA chief executive Chris Dixon said being part of the $9 million contract was a chance to expand the relationship the manufacturer had with teh CFA.
"ADA has been manufacturing locally for more than 100 years," he said. "We have primarily done defence work but there has been a push last five or 10 years to other areas with emergency sector taking the lead.
"For us it is close to our heart. We have had a relationship with the CFA for a long time - 10 or 12 years. It is exciting to expand that and take it further."
Country Fire Authority acting chief executive Garry Cook said it was the first time day-to-day work wear had been created for CFA members and volunteers.
"This is the first time we have had work wear on issue for volunteers, statewide," he said. "It is a first and a new identity for (the CFA). It gives the ability for members, right across state, to have one new look.
"It doesn't replace our yellow overalls or structural firefighting ensembles for firefighting.
"It was important we created our own identity. (The work wear) consists of things important to us like our emblem and the corporate checkerboard logo. The first sets will the hit ground early in new year."
Emergency services minister Jaclyn Symes said the contract - which includes $3 million through the Volunteer Support Package and $6 million from the CFA Capability Funding Package - would create 15 jobs in Bendigo.
"The supply chain is uniquely all Victorian," she said. "Different places around the state will produce different elements of uniform from belt buckles to hats to the shirts, pants and skirts available for hardworking CFA members.
"This work wear is for 30,000 volunteers with about 25 members from each brigade to be in the first allocation."
Mr Dixon said securing more jobs in the Bendigo area was important during the pandemic.
"I don't think there has ever been a more important time - when what we've been through in the last two years, and what still going through - to focus on our sovereign capability," he said. "Anything that allows us to innovate or bolster our resources here for future is key.
"The unique side of this contract is the entire end-to-end supply chain is Australian made."
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