New station opens

FIRE-fighters from Narre Warren, local residents and members gathered on Saturday to celebrate the opening of a new state-of-the-art fire station.
The new, three-bay station includes meeting rooms, training rooms and offices for the brigade management team.
CFA Narre Warren Captain Paul Hardy said the new station would make a huge difference to the brigade’s training and how crews respond.
“We used to park a truck in our old training and meeting room, as we had three vehicles in a two bay station,” he said.
“The training room in the new station is a lot larger than the one we’re in and we don’t have to park a truck in it.”
Capt Hardy was joined by Minister for Technology and South East Metropolitan Region MP Gordon Rich-Phillips who opened the building, as well as South East Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich, Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley, Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley, CFA Board member David Gibbs and Chief Officer CFA Euan Ferguson.
Capt Hardy said the new station helps the fire-fighters cater for a growing community.
“When I joined 15 years ago, we were doing 200 calls a year and now we are doing 600-700 calls a year,” he said.
“So the area has certainly grown and I think that is why this station now suits this area.”
Capt Hardy thanked the community which has donated money for the station.
“We’ve spent $25,000 out of the brigade’s budget towards the station,” he said.
“We’d also like to thank CFA, CFA’s building and property department, Operations Officer Cliff O’Connor and all the members lead by Lieutenant Andrew Davey who have all done a great job of setting up a fantastic asset for the local community.”