THE Country Fire Authority has been left feeling frustrated after a spate of break-ins at three brigade sheds.
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The Rokewood Junction, Mannibadar and Wallinduc CFA brigades, each with a handful of dedicated and active volunteers, were all broken into in recent days with a number of valuable items stolen.
It comes after a series of thefts in August 2018, when the CFA headquarters at Snake Valley and sheds at Berringa, Buninyong and Warrenheip were targeted before a string of further break-ins at CFA sheds during the summer months.
District 15 Duty Officer Gavin Hope said the burglaries were a "continuing saga for annoyance" for both the CFA and their insurance company.
He said as some of the sheds had been broken into in recent months, some more than once, and so much of the equipment that was stolen this time around had only just been replaced.
An angry Mr Hope said the burglaries were "very frustrating" as the CFA had recently installed new alarm systems at some of the sheds, as per advice by the insurance company, to prevent the sheds from being targeted again.
Sheds without the systems will be prioritised to have alarms installed.
Mr Hope said it was "pretty gutless" of the thieves to steal from a volunteer organisation that works to protect communities.
The burglaries prohibit the volunteer firefighters from responding to incidents as many of the stolen items are vital to the job.
"Volunteers could have a call out but when they get to the station their gear and equipment is missing," he said. "There could be call-outs such as a public threat, a car crash or house fire and they won't be able to do their job."
Mr Hope said the CFA was advising all brigades in the area to check their sheds, to make sure they are locked and that neighbours were keeping an eye out for suspicious behaviour.
Anybody with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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