Sarah Oliver
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has unveiled its latest training facility, with the Central Highlands Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) which opened in Ballan yesterday.
The $31 million dollar facility will allow CFA volunteers and other emergency services to prepare for emergencies in a safe, controlled environment.
Set on almost 40-hectares, the training facility includes ‘live fire’ simulations, firefighting props, an off-road driver training track and specialist training and breathing apparatus facilities.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said it was a significant milestone for the fire service.
“CFA’s volunteer firefighters train hard to be skilled and ready to respond to many different types of emergencies.
“We are committed to providing our members with the best infrastructure, equipment, training and support, and this latest training facility delivers that in spades.”
Three Practice Areas for Drills (PADs) will allow emergency service personnel to train in complex environments, and include a structure pad, gas pad, and extinguisher pad.
“There’s a petrol station, a tanker with running fuel fire, a gantry, gas tankers, and other small and moveable props to test our firefighters’ skills in dealing with a range of hazards,” Mr Heffernan said.
An off-road driver training area includes a variety of challenging terrains such as cross slopes, inclines, water and sand crossings, and rocky trail driving.
The campus also includes an administration block with four theory classrooms, an appliance storage, and an area for breathing apparatus and protective equipment maintenance.
The design and construction of the site considered environmental impacts and emission control, with the onsite water management system allowing all training water to be captured, treated, and reused on-site, with regular testing undertaken.
The roads within the facility, along with the off-road driver training area, have been named in honour of CFA members.
“It was an honour to meet with most of these members and their family representatives and in a small way acknowledge with a certificate and replica road sign the significant contribution they’ve made to our organisation,” Mr Heffernan said.
