Bullengarook Fire Brigade gathered on Monday (14 September) to officially welcome their new medium tanker and ultralight tanker to their fleet.
The delivery of these tankers will provide members with enhanced firefighting equipment to support operations across the Macedon Ranges and surrounding communities.
Captain of the brigade, Simon Hayward, said they were very thankful to receive a VESEP grant which helped to fund the ultralight tanker.
“We want to say a huge thank you to community members, local organisations, volunteers and supporters whose ongoing commitment helps further equip our brigade,” he said.
“The enhanced features these tankers make responding to incidents easier on our volunteers.
“These new vehicles will allow us to continue supporting our community when they need us most.”
The new medium tanker, funded through CFA’s base capital funding, replaces the brigade’s existing single-cab tanker and features a 4WD crew cabin capable of carrying five firefighters safely together, a front-mounted monitor that allows for in-vehicle firefighting, a 2,500-litre water tank and a powerful pump designed for bushfire, rural and structural firefighting operations.
The new ultralight tanker, built on the next-generation Ford Ranger platform, includes modern driver assistance and safety technology, a 550-litre water tank, Class A foam system, 500 litres-per-minute diesel-powered pump and improved equipment storage and lighting.
Bullengarook Fire Brigade has been serving the community since 1944 and currently has 42 members, including 20 operational firefighters.
The brigade played a key role during the 2025/26 fire season, assisting at several significant incidents, including the Ravenswood, Harcourt, Clarkefield and Bacchus Marsh Road fires, as well as supporting local firefighting efforts throughout the Macedon Ranges.
District 02 Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Bryan Suckling, said the tankers would be well utilised by the brigade.
“These vehicles will provide Bullengarook with the tools they need to continue the work they do in protecting the community,” Bryan said.
“I look forward to seeing the brigade flourish into the future with this boost to their fleet.”
