Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Country Fire Authority Chirnside Park brigade

Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (16:25): I wish to pay tribute to the Chirnside Park CFA fire brigade, which just celebrated its 10-year anniversary, serving our community with distinction. In its short 10 years the Chirnside Park CFA has punched above its weight, demonstrating an exceptional level of service protecting our community in times of emergency, including recently fighting the Montrose bushfire and the Grampians bushfires. We thank them, and we thank their families for supporting their important work.

Only a few weeks ago the Chirnside Park fire brigade was presented with the prestigious Country Fire Authority chief officer’s commendation for their outstanding contribution during the June 2021 storms that ravaged our Yarra Ranges community with cyclonic conditions alongside all district 13 brigades and in support of the Lilydale and Emerald SES units. The brigade also received the prestigious chief officer’s unit citation for exemplary service commendation in 2022 for their courageous efforts to save two children from a traumatic house fire alongside Mooroolbark CFA and the FRV. We owe a massive debt of gratitude to these volunteer firefighters, and I pay tribute to outgoing captain Ben Cash for his tireless advocacy, which has seen the expansion of the station to include modern facilities and toilets for women firefighters as well as a new tanker truck. I wish incoming captain Paul Simpson all the best as he continues to take the brigade from strength to strength. Congratulations also to Jeff Forrest and Peter Morris, bestowed with CFA life membership – a fabulous achievement.