Locals continue support for Montville Fire Brigade

Jenny Hawke of the Montville Fire Brigade thanks Echidnas members Noel Weiden and Brian Ashlan for their $500 donation.

Contributed by Montville Fire Brigade

Fifteen years ago a group of Montville locals got together for a few beers and deliberated on what they could do for their local community. They formed a group and came up with a plan to save the loose change from each round of drinks and use it to benefit one of the local community groups. Fifteen years on, the Echidnas are still going strong.

“We meet at Wild Rocket @ Misty’s, and they support us with tasty snacks—thus enabling the problem-solving banter to carry on for a few hours”, says Echidna Noel Weiden. “Our main beneficiary is the Montville Rural Fire Brigade, and over the years we’ve been able to donate portable radios, a portable generator and some handheld GPS units.”

The Echidnas’ most recent contribution to the fire brigade of $500 will certainly be put to good use. “One of the thoughts we had as a brigade was to use the funds towards purchasing a thermal imaging camera”, said second officer Jenny Hawke.

“This past fire season was obviously very busy for us locally and further afield. In terms of making an area safe after a fire has been through, one of these devices could be very effective and save a lot of time.”

“During the daytime it can be difficult to see where the hot spots are when blacking out. For instance, a log could still be burning underneath, and given the right conditions, blow embers into an unburnt area and cause another fire, so this technology would be great to have.

“We’re lucky to have so much amazing support from our community and really appreciate the Echidnas’ ongoing assistance and partnership.”