VOLUNTEER firefighters will be burning on the barbecue this month to raise funds for more equipment.
Wanneroo Central Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade recently bought two Halligan bar tools and are fundraising to buy another two for vehicles that do not yet have them.
“The Halligan tool is a piece of equipment that is used by firefighters to gain access into secure or difficult to reach places such as car bonnets and locked doors,” firefighter Shane Sheely said.
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READ NOW“It was specially designed by a fire chief in the New York Fire Dept as a universal tool for gaining entry and is now used by firefighters all around the world.
“The Wanneroo Central brigade is primarily a bush fire brigade and as such this piece of equipment is not standard issue.
“However, we do regularly attend incidents outside of this scope of work, such as vehicle fires where we may have to remove a bonnet or door, as well as property fires where gates or fences have been locked.
“As such we have made the decision to equip each of our four trucks with one of these tools.”
Mr Sheely said each tool cost between $400 and $450 and having them would give firefighters another option when trying to access incidents.
The volunteer brigade will hold the first fundraising sausage sizzle at the new Bunnings store in Landsdale on April 21 from 7am to 4pm, selling cold drinks.
The fire trucks will be on site from 8am to 3pm for photos with children and volunteers will be available to answer questions about fire education.
Another barbecue, run by the Wanneroo Lions Club at an Australia Day breakfast supported by the Banksia Grove Development Group, also yielded $1800 for the Wanneroo brigade.
The $40 million Bunnings store is due to open on April 17, with more than 90 people recruited to work at the Hartman Drive store.
Complex manager Marty Hornbuckle said staff had been involved in community projects ahead of the store opening, such as helping the Wanneroo City Soccer Club members paint their clubrooms.
Mr Hornbuckle said they had also planted vegetables and herbs with students from Pearsall and Madeley primary schools.
Employees include an electrician, two horticulturalists and 10 experts who can provide advice on DIY projects.
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