New fire truck a welcome addition

Members of the Kojonup Bushfire Advisory Committee received a new Isuzu fire truck last month, after it was found its old fire truck needed mechanical repairs.

The new $380,000 fire truck was provided by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to replace the committee’s existing Kojonup 2.4R fire truck.

Kojonup bushfire emergency officer Rob Cowie said he was pleased to hear the good news because the old fire truck was not due for replacement until the next financial year.

“The truck had some mechanical issues that needed to be fixed for the next bushfire season, so rather than replacing the pump they brought forward the new truck itself,” Mr Cowie said.

Kojonup executive officer Rick Mitchell-Collins is also pleased about the committee’s new fire truck.

“This substantial investment, made possible by the Emergency Services Levy is greatly appreciated and of vital importance to Kojonup and our neighbours as it ensures the capacity and capability of our volunteer firefighters is matched by quality firefighting equipment,” Mr Mitchell-Collins said.

Mr Cowie said the majority of fire incidents that occurred in the area were mainly weather or machinery-related fires that happened to get away.

There are a total of 250 volunteers and 12 brigades in the Kojonup Bushfire Advisory Committee.

The brigades generally attend 15-20 fires during the bushfire season.