Kernot Fire Brigade opens new satellite station

Brigade Members assembled outside the new Kernot Fire Station with Tankers 1 and 2

Words and photos supplied by Scott Hamilton, Brigade Support Officer, Bass Coast Catchment

Kernot Fire Brigade celebrated the opening of its new satellite station at Kernot on a sunny Sunday afternoon in September. Over 100 locals attended this special occasion, the culmination of several months of hard work by the local volunteers and businesses.

Kernot brigade, formed in 1944, operates from two stations. The main station at Grantville houses Tanker 1 (3.4D) and the satellite at Kernot is home to the brigade-owned Tanker 2 (1.2C).

The existing satellite station at Kernot was the original brigade station, before it moved to its current headquarters at Grantville. The original station continued to serve as a satellite station until this year, when the new one was constructed.

The new Kernot satellite station was built because the old one could not accommodate a second, larger tanker which the brigade is currently fundraising to acquire.

(L to R) Federal Member for Flinders Greg Hunt, CFA Board member Group Officer David Gibbs, Captain Pat Russell, CFA Westernport Area GM Peter Schmidt, State Member for Bass Ken Smith

The new satellite station was officially opened by CFA Board Member Group Officer David Gibbs. The opening was an opportunity for the Kernot brigade to thank those in the community who had supported the station's construction. Twenty-two local organisations were given framed certificates of appreciation to recognise their contribution to making the facility a reality.

Federal Member for Flinders Greg Hunt, State MP for Bass Ken Smith, CFA General Manager Peter Schmidt and Operations Officer Michael Owen also attended.

The local Red Cross provided afternoon tea in the adjoining Kernot Community hall – a fitting end to what a community can achieve when we all work together.