CFA members celebrate 80th anniversary of Fire Equipment Maintenance
More than 100 current and former CFA members gathered in Bendigo on 29 August to celebrate 80 years of Fire Equipment Maintenance (FEM) at CFA.
The anniversary lunch, at the All Seasons Function Centre, brought together members from across Victoria, along with representatives from industry and fire safety organisations.
The event celebrated the contribution FEM members have made to CFA, their brigades and communities, and recognised the significant role the service plays in supporting fire safety across Victoria.
It was also an opportunity for current and former members to reconnect, including FEM support staff who helped shaped the service over the years.
More than 265 CFA brigades deliver FEM to businesses and industry in their local communities, inspecting and servicing equipment at tens of thousands of properties each year to ensure it is compliant and functional.
For many brigades, FEM also provides an important source of income, with funds raised through the service helping them purchase vehicles and equipment, upgrade facilities and support their ongoing development.
The service provides benefits beyond financial support. FEM enables brigades to build strong relationships with local businesses and industry, strengthening engagement on fire safety. It also provides them with valuable information about these local facilities that may assist if they are required to respond to an incident.
The anniversary lunch included awards presentations and a display of FEM equipment, uniforms, patches, photographs and other memorabilia.
Speaking at the celebration, Industry Fire Prevention Manager Leigh Marsh reflected on the lasting contribution of FEM and the people behind its success.
“For 80 years, FEM has helped strengthen communities across Victoria by supporting fire prevention, education and operational readiness,” Leigh said.
“The commitment of CFA volunteers has built strong relationships with local businesses and communities, creating opportunities to share fire safety knowledge, increase awareness of fire risks and promote prevention.
"The funds generated through FEM have also contributed to countless firefighting appliances, specialist response vehicles and operational equipment, as well as improvements to brigade infrastructure.
“We honour the achievements and contribution of the volunteers and staff who have championed FEM over the past 80 years and look forward with confidence to the future of the program.”