By Matthew Sims
The Pakenham State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer emergency response unit has launched a fundraising effort for $150,000 for a new general rescue truck, with $18,000 already raised within the community, including a recent $5000 donation from a local business.
With the unit’s current general rescue truck set to be decommissioned in 2025, the acquisition of a new one would allow the unit to continue to deliver a number of types of emergency aid to Cardinia and surrounding areas every day of the year and 24/7, including storm and flood management and road crash rescues.
With a goal of reaching the $150,000 target by the end of 2024, local business Brandt Pakenham was one of the first to lend their support to the cause, recently donating $5000.
Pakenham SES unit controller Hassan Fahd said the $150,000 target would also contribute towards new equipment for the unit.
“Our dedicated volunteers consistently put in countless hours of training, support community events, and respond to hundreds of requests for assistance from the community every year,” he said.
“With limited funding from the State Government, we are appealing to our local community to work with us to raise $150,000 for our new truck and other vital equipment.
“We know together, as a community, we can do this.”
Mr Fahd said he and his fellow members were grateful for the Brandt Pakenham team’s “generous and kind donation” of $5000.
“Without the support of local, community minded businesses like Brandt, we worry we won’t have the tools to be able to provide the current level of support when people need us the most,” he said.
Brandt Pakenham branch manager Andrew Cowie said the business was proud to support a community focused organisation like the Pakenham SES unit.
“As locals ourselves, we love being able to give back to the community,” he said.
Spanning across Cardinia, the Pakenham service area has continued to grow in need, with a population of more than 123,000 living in 45,535 dwellings, covering 1281 square kilometres, but only 65 volunteers within the unit able to respond.
Predictions have estimated the population growth in Cardinia would increase by 108 per cent by 2030, placing increased pressure on local VICSES units to respond effectively to the local community and continue to assist Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and fire services throughout the state.
To donate towards the cause, visit www.givenow.com.au/vicses_pakenham or more information about how to volunteer, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer
