Volunteer firefighters do so much to protect our communities.

The rollout of new wildfire Personal Protection Clothing (PPC) by Victorian supplier Stewart & Heaton to all operational members will ensure they’ve got the right gear to tackle whatever is thrown their way.

The new PPC will provide firefighters an enhanced level of protection from radiant heat and heat-related illness. They’re manufactured using woven fabric with inherent fire-retardant performance to provide ease of movement and breathability.

The jackets will feature a new epaulette holder on the chest area, reinforced elbow patches, front top and lower pockets on both sides and radio pockets along the side seam.

The protective trousers will incorporate new elastic back waistbands with large belt loops, two back pockets and hip pockets.

These new garments will meet the needs of CFA’s diverse membership with tailored designs for both men and women, ensuring a safe and comfortable fit for all volunteers.

This will help members in brigades across our region, including Maryborough, Ararat, Tarnagulla, and Skipton be better protected.

Following fire services reform, the Victorian Government provided CFA $126 million as part of the CFA Capability Funding package to fund a range of projects.

Of this, $10.85 million has been invested to produce up to 29,000 sets of new PPC for CFA’s operational volunteers.

The large-scale staggered rollout of the new PPC is expected to commence in the next few months.

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“Our volunteer firefighters do so much for our community, continually putting the safety of strangers above their own. The new state-of-the-art protection clothing is one way of ensuring their safety is a priority.”