Firefighters needed another vehicle to tow their communications caravan to where it is most needed in a bush fire.

So the Bushfire Support Brigade and othert groups have been running many fundraisers to enable them to buy a suitable vehicle.

The Bridgetown St John Ambulance sub-station was due to change one of its ambulances. Bushfire brigade members asked if it would consider selling them an old ambulance.

Bridgetown St John Ambulance Sub-Centre chairman Steve Bosley said that the committee discussed the request.

“We knew there were a few other St John Centres who were interested in our old ambulance and we could get between $10,000 and $12,000 for it,” he said. “But then most of the equipment we use, including the vehicles, gets partly supplied by our own local community by fund-raising and we thought it would be nice to see the old ambulance stay in the community which helped to buy it in the first place.

“So instead of selling it, we decided to give it to the brigade to help them out,” Mr Bosley said.

At a ceremony on Sunday, Bridgetown Bushfire Support Brigade captain Eddie Bland happily accepted the big Ford’s key. “I have been in the support brigade since its inception,” he said. “And this generous donation from the local St John Ambulance sub-centre is the best thing we could have received.

“It was so unexpected, but so very much appreciated and it will help us out immensely as we use it to tow our communications caravan around to where it is needed to help keep our firefighters safe with better communications.”

The ambulance, which is powered by a big 7.5-litre diesel engine, will soon look resplendent with new paintwork. Its livery will change from St John White to Fire Brigade Red.

A tow bar will be fitted to enable it to pull the support caravan which is used at bushfire control points to supply the front liners with support as well as a place they can stop and rest for a few moments in the midst of the extreme hazards they are facing.

Over the past year, the support brigade has raised $3000 from a variety of activities including a recent quiz night.

That money will now be used to decommission and refurbish the donated vehicle.