Southern Ports community investment program provides thermal imaging cameras for volunteer bush fire brigade

The Narrikup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade has received improved technology through the Southern Ports Community Investment Program.

Two new thermal imaging cameras mean the brigade’s trucks are now equipped with tech which allows volunteers to find and extinguish spot fires more effectively.

The Narrikup brigade has about 30 volunteer members and is a vital asset for the farming community spread across a wide area either side of Albany Highway.

Brigade captain Dale Wyland said the volunteers were always looking for better ways to protect their community.

“It’s vital to deal with flare-ups and hotspots during and following an incident, especially when volunteers are already fatigued,” he said.

“Having our own cameras has reduced our reliance on neighbouring brigades and has boosted our own capabilities to detect and mop up issues before they become something much bigger.

“We’re grateful for the support from Southern Ports. The whole process, from application through to acquittal, ran smoothly for our volunteers.”

Southern Ports general manager for the Great Southern Paul McSweeney said volunteer bush fire brigades played an integral role in regional communities.

“Volunteers in regional communities such as Narrikup go above and beyond to look out for each other, and we’re proud to be supporting them,” he said.

“Our community investment program is designed to have a positive, enduring impact within our regions, and supporting applications from volunteer brigades certainly does that.

“An additional thermal imaging camera for the brigade can prevent disaster, and it will certainly reduce the strain on volunteers.”

Southern Ports received a record number of applications to the program over the past year.

The program is expected to pass about $400,000 of funding for the first time in the next year.