Capel community opens $2 million Bush Fire Brigade facility in Gelorup

The Shire of Capel and Gelorup Bush Fire Brigade have a new state of the art facility just in time for the start of this year’s bush fire season.

Opened at a special ceremony on Friday, the new $2 million facility was funded by the State Government following an application from the Shire of Capel.

The facility can now provide an upgraded service to the community and be used as a control and coordination point in the event of a major fire in surrounding areas.

The new site includes a spacious two-bay, drive-through bush fire station with training facilities and suitable amenities for on-site personnel.

The station also has new changing areas for managing personal protective equipment, larger appliance bays, and purpose-built communication and training rooms.

The original station in Gelorup, was 30 years old and did not fulfil modern fire facility and appliance requirements and was constructed in 1991 for just $12,000 by the Shire of Capel.

Gelorup Fire Brigade captain and pioneer female firefighter Glenys Malatesta advocated for the investment and construction of the facilities to improve fire safety in the South West and attract more women and young people to the occupation.

She explained that “the change rooms in the original facility would fill with carbon monoxide when engines were started” and “the trucks were parked in a tight area”.

“ I told Jodie Hanns, Collie-Preston MLA, that we needed a state of the art, fit for purpose station. Much to my surprise, my pipe dream came true, DFES and Capel Shire have been fantastic,” she said.

In the past three years, volunteers at Gelorup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade have dedicated more than 860 hours responding to both major fire incidents and emergencies in the area.

The Cook Government is investing more than $140 million into providing new equipment, resources, personal protective clothing, and facilities to support frontline fire and emergency services.