Friday 17th February 2017
EQUIPMENT UPGRADE FOR ECHUCA SES
The Echuca SES Unit has received a funding boost under the first round of the Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability Grants Program.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the Echuca unit had applied for a new light tower and has been successful with a grant of $39 909.10
Mr Walsh said the light tower is a significant addition to local rescue equipment. It’s extended hydraulic mast height is 8.40m high and 2.45m long with a 346 degree manual rotation. It has a tilting light head for easy set up optimum light direction control and is towable by conventional vehicles
Echuca SES Unit Controller Ian Marriott said prior to securing the new light tower the nearest tower had to come from either Kerang or Castlemaine.
“The need for the light tower in Echuca has been well and truly established with a spate of terrible accidents in the past six months “ he said.
Mr Walsh said that the SES volunteers do a huge amount of fundraising in order to apply for matching funding and any extra support they receive goes a long way.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the remarkable and selfless job they do in minimizing the loss of life injuries and property damage from emergencies and natural disasters and I am delighted to see that effort rewarded.”
“The SES is an integral part of our local emergency service personnel and their efforts to secure the new light tower will not only benefit their own work but also the work of the Echuca & Moama Search & Rescue plus our police ambulance and fire officers “ Mr Walsh said.
