We're gonna need a bigger shed, Strathbogie CFA says

The brigade hopes it can eventually have a bigger shed at Strathbogie Recreation Reserve.

Captain David Hamilton said there was barely enough room for firefighters to get changed.

He said it restricted how the brigade could organise things and could slow the team down.

Mr Hamilton said the Strathbogie CFA was forced to wash its hoses on Main St.

“Put it this way: our changing room is the one metre between the sod of the tin shed and the truck exhaust,” he said.

“For us to wash our hose we have to cart hoses across the street, wash them on the street, then walk them back across the road; tell me that's not (an) OH&S (issue).

“To switch on the trucks we're filling the local store next door with diesel fumes.

“We literally have no room to get changed; once the front doors are open you're open to the street.”

Mr Hamilton said the brigade had worked with regional CFA and Strathbogie Shire Council to identify a small parcel of land at Strathbogie Recreation Reserve.

He said the Spring Creek Rd area was the ideal location to build a new shed.

“.. . Our recreation ground would be our staging area if something happens.

“It also has diesel and a reserve with catering facilities, so it just makes sense.”

Mr Hamilton said the station's emergency system was set up across Main St at the town hall.

“The government is making sure every station has NBN and modern wireless . . . (ours) can't get the wi-fi reception,” he said.

“We've got our radio system in the hall; if it's a big fire then the recreation reserve is the staging area so if there was (a fire) . . . we could be spread over 5 km.”

Mr Hamilton said he had been captain for about 10 years and the issues with the shed dated back about five years.

A petition was submitted to Victorian parliament, with Mr Hamilton estimating about 90 per cent of the town's population signed it.

In the Euroa electorate, Pyalong and Molka brigades received funding for new sheds in the most recent budget.

A Victorian Government spokesperson did not say why the Strathbogie CFA had been overlooked in previous state budgets.

“All emergency services proposals for funding are carefully assessed — those who are successful will be announced in line with the 2021 budget,” the spokesperson said.

The Strathbogie CFA has about 40 active volunteers.