Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
Maldon Fire Brigade has welcomed a new medium tanker to their engine bay, celebrating the official handover with brigade members and local dignitaries.
Gathering at the Maldon Golf Club on Friday (14 November), the brigade officially received the keys to the tanker and named it, posthumously, in honor of the late former Captain Kerran Webb.
The medium tanker is a state-of-the-art firefighting vehicle, equipped with a 2,650 litre water capacity that allows for rapid and controlled suppression of fires directly from the vehicle.
Acting Captain of the Maldon Fire Brigade, Bruce Clements, said the new tanker would serve the brigade and community well.
“The monitor and high pressure pump are great additions which make things so much easier,” Bruce said.
“It is more comfortable and quieter and being automatic means less fatigue on the driver.
“Thank you to the community who helped raise the money for this truck, it is as much theirs as it is ours.”
Bruce said the medium tanker was named in honour of Kerran Webb who provided 38 years of service as a member and Captain of Maldon Fire Brigade.
“It is a fitting tribute to him,” Bruce said.
“He was instrumental in the brigade for many years and guided them through an array of changes, renovations, and upgrades.
“Kerran was very active throughout the community, participating in many local events and he was a mentor to many members of the brigade with his calm, decisive and friendly demeanor.
“He was appreciated by all in the brigade and the local community.”
Kerran was a recipient of the National Medal whilst serving as a firefighter, Lieutenant, Foreman, Deputy Group Officer and Captain and he attended 288 incident turnouts since 1997 and many more prior to that, including deployments on strike teams.
On the night, CFA Board Chair Jo Plummer also awarded National Medals to brigade members and a CFA life membership, while acknowledging those who received service awards.