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A funding boost will help Sebastopol firefighters, who were severely injured in a horror crash, move forward from what they have described as the darkest period for the brigade. Four Sebastopol firefighters were taken to hospital in April when their vehicle rolled multiple times after a car allegedly failed to give way. The firefighters were travelling in a LPG CFA vehicle and were on their way to a house fire in Linton. The firefighters had to be cut out from their car, which was written off, by fellow members from Ballarat Fire Brigade. This week Sebastopol Brigade was named one of the major beneficiaries of an $113,000 injection of funds into volunteer CFA brigades in the local area. More than $60,000 will provide the brigade with an upgraded LPG vehicle in six months time. On Friday they were celebrating a community donation of $10,000 from the Buninyong Community Bank which helped them purchase an interim vehicle. Brigade captain Joe Jansen said the donation would help the brigade move forward from one of its darkest periods. “It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the brigade,” Mr Jansen, who was involved in the crash himself, said. “It was a huge shock and has had a financial burden as well as physical and mental strain on those directly affected, the brigade and our families. The specialised vehicle in one of only three servicing this half of the state and is used to burn off gas tanks in severe crashes and fires. Mr Jansen said the injured members were only just returning to work but had continued support from the CFA. “We go to car accidents and fatalities, you see the effects at the scene … but you don’t see the aftermath,” Mr Jansen said. He said this accident had shown the members the devastating impacts of severe accidents on those directly impacted and their family and friends. Mr Jansen urged all motorists to be aware of emergency services vehicles on the road. “If you seen an emergency vehicle don’t brake suddenly, indicate and if it is safe to do so pull over.”

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