Nulla Vale is a small locality 40km south-west of Seymour. It has about 90 residents.
Like most small CFA brigades, Nulla Vale’s has a shortage of members, but Boronia CFA, in Melbourne’s outer east, is in talks to provide it with joint training exercises and assistance during major events.
Nulla Vale CFA Captain Luke Freestone said this opportunity could provide welcome relief when needed.
“They’ve got enough coverage in their area, which means they can leave their area on occasions,” he said.
“Whereas with our CFA, we can’t leave our area, because if something happens in our area, then we’ve got no-one to take up the slack.
“On days that we might even need relief if we’ve been out on fire ground for eight or nine hours, they could possibly send out a truck, or two trucks and crews, to give us a bit of relief as well.”
Boronia CFA members will also be joining the Nulla Vale CFA members for training to learn more about the area, and how the land lies.
On Sunday, September 22, Boronia CFA members will be visiting Nulla Vale CFA to hand over a donation of emergency equipment.
“They’re going to be bringing in some spare hoses that we need, and some new branches that we don’t have currently because they’re very expensive,” Mr Freestone said.
“We don’t have a lot of donation money because the area is pretty small.”
Fire hose branches are metal fittings between the hose and the nozzle that help to provide a solid jet of water for fire-fighting.
Mr Freestone said the donation of the new branches was a great help, as his brigade’s old ones were about 30 years old.
“It’s just a bit more effective,” he said.
“Fighting fires, and not getting water dripped all over you from old ones that are pretty out of date.”
Nulla Vale honorary member Bill Chisholm welcomed the donation and future plans for collaboration.
“We couldn’t wish for better than this,” he said.
“We need all the support we can get at the moment.”
Mr Freestone said Nulla Vale CFA couldn’t thank Boronia CFA enough for the help being offered.
“I think those brigades that have the capacity to help smaller brigades should get out there and train with other little brigades, so that we’ve got a bit more coverage in places that are really lacking people,” he said.
“I think that would be a great idea.”