MEDIA RELEASE: Car fire proves to be no trouble for VICSES Brimbank Unit

MEDIA RELEASE: Car fire proves to be no trouble for VICSES Brimbank Unit

12/08/2021, 12:21 PM

Last week, quick-thinking Victoria State Emergency (VICSES) Brimbank Unit volunteers jumped to extinguish a potentially dangerous car fire, after it went up in flames on Keilor Park Drive in Keilor Park.

The day started off as a routine planning day for the volunteers, who were involved in new recruit interviews [before Covid-19 pandemic restrictions] when a commotion was heard in the unit’s vehicle bay.

A member of the public rushed into the training room, alerting members to a car fire on Keilor Park Drive, just down the road from the unit.

After years of practical and rigorous training, Unit Controller Bernie Thatcher and Deputy Controller, Operations, Chris Schneider immediately knew what to do: leaping into action, donning overalls, and racing down to the scene in the unit’s rescue truck.

When they discovered a car in flames, both experienced VICSES volunteers Bernie and Chris wasted no time in using extinguishers to put out the fire. Fire crews arrived shortly after.

Although not firefighters, VICSES members are trained in general rescue and are quick to respond to all sorts of emergencies. Last week these skills, along with some quick thinking, came into good use.

A fantastic job and well done to Bernie and Chris for getting into action so quickly and preventing further damage to the car and its surrounding environment.

It takes thousands of dedicated Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers from across the state to provide emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

If you’re interested in volunteering, or would like to know more, visit: https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer

Quotes attributable to VICSES Brimbank Unit Deputy Controller, Operations, Chris Schneider:

“The quick response by SES volunteers prevented the fire from destroying the entire vehicle”.

“Regardless of the type of emergency, there is always something SES can do to help at an incident, thanks to our vast skill sets and training”.