Business as Usual After Heartless Theft
Media ReleaseSA Country Fire Service
Wednesday 24 March 2010
The Country Fire Service (CFS) is assuring people who live, work or travel through the Coonalpyn district that the ability to respond to road accidents in the area has not been compromised by the recent theft of vital rescue equipment from the station.
Three items were stolen from the station between March 11 and 17. The items – cutters, a pump and a spreader – form part of the response toolkit used by CFS volunteers during vital road crash rescue operations.
Region 3 Regional Commander Richard Coombe, said the theft of the items was disappointing for the CFS members who voluntarily respond to scenes of sometimes devastating road accidents, particularly along the State’s busiest corridor, the Dukes Highway.
“Our members voluntarily make themselves available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to respond to some quite horrific scenes on our roads,” he said.
“Their work and training in extrication of trapped victims of road crash, can save lives. So it is justifiably quite heartbreaking for volunteers at the Coonalpyn Brigade to have this life-saving equipment stolen from their Station.”
Mr Coombe said a temporary replacement set of the road crash rescue equipment was made available to the Station within 24 hours of becoming aware of the theft.
“It is business as usual for the Coonalpyn CFS Brigade, and I can assure all those who regularly or intermittently travel through the area, including along the busy Dukes Highway, that the Brigade remains fully equipped to respond to road accidents in the area.”
With the busy Easter period expected to draw an influx of cars onto the roads, Mr Coombe has issued an early reminder to drivers to ensure they plan to survive their drive.
“For the sake of you and your family, please drive safely on our roads this long weekend and remember that it’s better to arrive late than never,” he said.
Further information:
Contact the Bushfire Information Hotline 1300 362 361, for deaf and hearing impaired or teletype service TTY 133 677
Or visit www.cfs.sa.gov.au
