Published On: November 12, 2020

When fire prevention is key

On Monday 30th December 2019 the Thowgla Valley in Victoria was hit by the devastating Upper Murray bushfires. Overnight fires raced over the hills from Corryong and into the valley, burning everything in their path.

Thowgla Valley Fire Truck Fund Corryong, VIC
Davey Premium Master Dealer – Flower Macklan, Wodonga, VIC
Products Donated – G8016 Floodfighter Flood Pump and Water Drainage System

On Monday 30th December 2019 the Thowgla Valley in Victoria was hit by the devastating Upper Murray bushfires. Overnight fires raced over the hills from Corryong and into the valley, burning everything in their path.

The majority of the valley is surrounded by bushland and consists predominantly of beef and dairy farms, with some lifestyle residents. Over the New Year’s period, the valley was under extreme threat from the fires, with many paddocks burnt out, fences destroyed, livestock dead, fodder lost and devastatingly for some locals in the valley, homes and sheds destroyed.

Much of the damage happened because there were just not enough firefighting resources. The fires were so vast that fire-fighting trucks from surrounding areas were unavailable, leaving residents to battle the blaze on their own.

For many years the Thowgla Valley community has been desperate to establish its own fire brigade and purchase its own firefighting truck and equipment and after the terrible loss of property last year, the residents have been inspired to rally for donations and are holding community meetings to make this dream a reality.

They have set up a Thowgla Valley Fire Truck Fund with proceeds going directly towards the purchase of vital equipment. Davey Water Products has donated a G8016 Floodfighter Pump to the local brigade to help them be better equipped for any future fire events. The Floodfighter is ideal as it moves large volumes of water quickly.

The pump unit is mounted in a trailer making it portable to move around from site to site (Standpipes). It also has a toolbox to store a fuel container, hose and other equipment. This pump unit will speed up the time in refilling slip-on units and other tanks which will have a massive effect in the response time, allowing more productivity in fighting any fires. “Your donation of this pump is greatly appreciated by the community and will setup the future generation in times to come to band together and prevent loss of assets, livestock and help neighbouring communities.”said James Patton, Thowgla Fire Brigade.