By Dongyun Kwon
Yarra Glen Fire Brigade has prepared for bushfire season with new equipment.
The brigade purchased three new thermal imaging cameras through the Stronger Communities Program.
Yarra Glen CFA Captain Bill Boyd said the cameras would help the team detect the hotspots that they can’t find with the naked eye.
“In a bushfire scenario, we can scan the ground and it’ll show a colour even the areas which might have ashed over or might be a big hole for hot burning stuff,” Mr Boyd said.
“And then we’ll be careful of that, we can shine it on a tree and see if the tree has been burnt out from the back or on fire inside.
“At night when we can’t see at all, it’s our eyes, we can use it to see things as long as the temperature changes.”
Casey MP Aaron Violi helped the brigade to get the grant for new equipment.
Mr Boyd said he and his crew members appreciated the information Mr Violi shared with them.
“We were staying apolitical, we’re not getting on either side of the fence,” he said.
“But what happened was the state government had a grant going and Mr Violi shared the information with us and we just applied for it.
“We were one of 16 out of 62 applicants that were successful and we were grateful for the help from him.”
Mr Violi said he was happy that he could support 16 community organisations across Casey through the Stronger Communities Programme.
“It was exciting to catch up with Yarra Glen Fire Brigade captain Bill Boyd and crew members recently and see the 3 new thermal imaging cameras purchased through the Stronger Communities Programme,” he said.
“These cameras will assist crews to identify hot spots and boost their volunteer firefighting capabilities.”
