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$200,000 Medium Rescue Truck For Morwell Ses

The Morwell VICSES unit today received a welcome boost to its emergency service response with a new medium rescue truck.

By Russell Northe - 22nd February 2012 - Back to News

Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe, who represented Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan, said the new vehicle would provide the unit with the valuable support it needed to continue protecting life and property all year around.

"This new rescue truck is better equipped and faster than previous models and will enable Morwell SES to respond more efficiently to future emergencies," Mr Northe said.

"It has space for a crew of up to eight whereas the previous model could only fit four people.

"It is more fuel efficient, provides extra equipment storage and also allows access to previously inaccessible alpine areas. "

Morwell SES raised $100,000 for the purchase of the truck, which the State Government matched.

Mr Northe said Morwell was a dedicated unit with a team comprising 40 active members who went above and beyond the call of duty to support their local community.

"Morwell is a very busy unit having received more than 400 requests for assistance in the past year alone," Mr Northe said.

"With its main operational roles including road rescue, storm, flood, industrial rescue, land and alpine search, it was also very active in assisting other Victorian communities during the flood and storm events of 2011."

Mr Northe said the Morwell unit had also deployed strike teams to Queensland to assist with the December 2010 and January 2011 flood recovery, and then again to assist after Cyclone Yasi in February that year.

"It has also been heavily involved in community education, regularly attending primary and secondary schools to educate about driver safety, and operates a Driver Reviver site," Mr Northe said.

Mr Ryan said it was vital that brigades such as Morwell had the best equipment possible to continue its essential work in the community.

"Local agencies are the backbone of Victoria’s emergency services and the Victorian Coalition Government recognises the important role emergency services volunteers play," Mr Ryan said.

"I applaud Morwell VICSES Unit and its members for their continued dedication and commitment."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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