THE Koroit CFA has secured a vital piece of equipment to aid in its task to keep the community safe.
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The brigade has purchased a thermal imaging camera thanks to funding from the Koroit Lions Club and the Moyne Shire Council.
The Lions club contributed $6000 while the council put in $5000 from its community assistance fund.
The remainder of the $13,000 cost of the camera was made up by the CFA.
The camera has the ability to identify people who may be caught in a building during a fire.
It can also locate hard to find hot spots.
Koroit CFA captain Leigh Mugavin said the camera will be a huge asset.
“A house could be full of smoke but we could go in there with this camera and it can show us a clear view of what we need to see,” Mr Mugavin.
“It will be a valuable tool in helping to save people’s lives and also trying to limit the amount of property damage.
“It will make us more efficient, rather than just going in blind, we can use the camera to work out where we need to go to make the most impact and hit the spots we need to hit.”
The camera can detect hot spots from as far as 60 metres away and can also identify hazardous chemical spills that may not be able to be seen by the naked eye.
“This is something we have been trying to get for a long time,” Mr Mugavin said.
“We are very grateful to the Lions club and the council for helping make it happen.”
The contribution from the Koroit Lions Club is the latest in what is a long line of involvement in community projects.
The success of the club’s op shop has allowed it to target worthwhile community projects.
Koroit Lions Club member Alister Lumsden said the thermal imaging camera fits perfectly into the club’s funding criteria.
“We had a member of the CFA come to one of our dinners and talk about how handy the camera would be for them,” Mr Lumsden said.
“There wasn’t one of our members who didn’t think it was a worthy project to fund.
“We are very happy that the money we are making from the op shop is being recycled back into the community.”
Moyne Shire mayor Jim Doukas said council is thrilled to be part of the funding pool for the camera.
“This is a really good outcome for everyone,” Cr Doukas said.
“To have the CFA, Lions and council join together on this is terrific. It shows how important these community partnerships are, this is the way it should be.
“This thermal imaging camera will be so useful not just for fires but at car accidents and chemical spills.”
