Funding through Chalice’s Community Investment Program supported the Julimar Volunteer Bushfire Brigade (JVBB) to undertake much needed upgrades to their facilities, improving safe entry and exit procedures at the fire station.
The volunteer brigade, located close to the Gonneville Project Site, upgraded the concrete apron around the station which is used for skills training and maintenance. The improvements also assisted with sealing the access driveway onto busy Julimar Road.
The Julimar Brigade is one of five volunteer bushfire brigades in the Toodyay area, a known bushfire hotspot. Volunteers and support crew are kept busy throughout the summer months, and quality facilities are important for safe, efficient emergency responses.
“Attracting and retaining volunteers can be a challenge,” said Rob Koch, Community Emergency Services Manager for the Shire of Toodyay.
“We provide a vital service to the community, and we want to be able to provide our volunteers with good facilities to support training and encourage more members to join.
“The enhanced facilities we have been able to construct go a long way towards doing this,” he said.