Open day to celebrate new Blackwood CERT building

March 28, 2025 | in Community News

Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Blackwood Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) are officially opening their new purpose-built shed with a community day on Sunday 6 April.

The new building is a huge boost for the team’s operations, providing a place to securely house their response vehicle and equipment, as well as providing improved occupational health and safety for volunteers, especially at night.

The open day will be an opportunity for the local community to explore the new building and meet local first responders.

Five people in Ambulance Victoria uniform smile for the camera. They stand around an ambulance car in front of an Ambulance Victoria grey shed.

L-R: Blackwood CERT members Jan Ogle, Leonie Brasier, Kirsty Vella, Zachary Harper and Deidre Cronin.

“The local Blackwood community have provided incredible support as we worked towards achieving this new site,” Team Leader Jan Ogle said.

“It’s been a long time coming and we look forward to continuing to play a critical role in local pre-hospital care, now out of our own dedicated facility.”

For the past six years, the Blackwood CERT operated out of the local Country Fire Authority (CFA) station, and the CERT members said a big thank you to the Blackwood CFA for their generous support over many years.

“On top of allowing us to operate out of their station, we also had access to their amenities for training and they even helped with tearing down the old shed on our new shed site,” Jan said.

CERTs are made up of volunteer first responders and located in less populated and more remote areas of the state.

CERT members typically work within their local community, so are often first on scene and can provide immediate care until an ambulance arrives.

The Blackwood CERT was the second to be set up in Victoria and is currently in its 22nd year of operation.

“Our team respond to Triple Zero (000) calls in Blackwood and surrounds, from Greendale through to Newbury and previously Trentham as well,” Jan said.

“We’re surrounded by Lerderderg State Park and Wombat State Forest, so our work covers a variety of terrains and unique challenges.

“Currently, our team is made up of seven wonderful volunteers, some with decades of experience.

“We’re always looking for more community-minded individuals who would like to join our team and make a real difference in their local area.”

The free community open day on Sunday 6 April will run from 11:30am to 1:30pm at 2 Terrill St, Blackwood.