WYNDHAM VALE, VIC. — Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade has celebrated the opening of its new fire station over the weekend in their 15th year of servicing its local community.
Eager brigade members gathered at the new site on Armstrong Road in Manor Lakes on Saturday, July 4, alongside CFA senior leaders Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM, CEO Greg Leach AFSM and Deputy Chief Officer North West Region Trevor Weston.
A brigade parade, led by ex-Captain Francis Ludeman, officially opened proceedings, and later Wyndham Vale’s First Lieutenant Max Blaik closed out the event, unveiling the naming of the Wyndham Vale tanker after Francis to recognise his service.
The new site replaces the brigade’s former station on Ballan Road and provides volunteers with a modern, fit-for-purpose base to support their emergency response now and into the future.
Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade Captain Andrew Ludeman said after operating from a two-bay station for the past 15 years, the new station will significantly benefit the brigade and community.
“For us, having the facilities to train new and current members with areas to clean up when we return from a callout is a great opportunity and a welcome boost for brigade morale,” Andrew said.
The new facility includes three motor bays, a four-bay external shed, a communications area and a multipurpose room. A four-desk office space has also been included, along with dedicated spaces for equipment maintenance, training and operational readiness.
The space will support 59 members, including 35 operational firefighters who have attended major incidents such as the 2009 and 2019-20 bushfires as well as local motor vehicle incidents and fires.
“It gives us the ability to grow, which is probably the biggest thing for our brigade, as we’re only a couple of calls short of 600 callouts over the past financial year,” Andrew said.
“We’ve got 10 new recruits doing our General Firefighter course at the moment, which is really promising, and now that we have more space we can start to get more people in and get them out on the truck.”
CFA Deputy Chief Officer North West Region Trevor Weston said the new station will help support the brigade’s growing operational needs as the local community continues to expand.
“We have seen considerable residential growth in Wyndham Vale and this new station will help ensure our volunteers have the facilities they need to continue protecting local residents for years to come,” Trevor said.
“This site is a welcome change for the brigade and will be a terrific asset to allow them to continue doing what they do best – protecting lives and property.
“The new station marks an exciting new chapter for the brigade.”
CFA District 14 Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Sean Kennedy joined on-site to mark the occasion, alongside local community members and neighbouring brigade members.
Later in the night, the brigade marked its 15th anniversary with current and former brigade members at a dinner held at the new station.
