AROUND $4000 of equipment has been donated to the Salvation Army Mount Gambier Corps to re-stock its emergency services trailer which had been ransacked by heartless thieves.
The Gambier City Lions Club and the Australian Lions Foundation funded the new equipment, with a generator, Engel fridge/freezer unit, urn and various portable lighting options among the donations.
For almost two decades, the trailer has served emergency service personnel while responding to natural disasters in the Limestone Coast, providing food, drinks and support to front line workers.
Salvation Army emergency services coordinator John Douglas said it was important to have the equipment available for use whenever necessary.
“When volunteers are inundated and need a break the trailer is able to provide a central meeting point,” Mr Douglas said.
“It provides the servicemen the opportunity to focus on what they do best.
“In our area it has mainly been used for bush fires but if necessary it could be used for other natural disasters as well.”
Mr Douglas said he was grateful for the donation.
“We will now be self-sufficient and be able to heat water, work under light and supply electricity if the time were to ever come,” he said.
“It could be considered a good thing the trailer has not been used much in the past.”
Mr Douglas said there was potential for the trailer to be used at community events to service residents.
