WANGARATTA’S recently formed Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) is confident they will be well prepared for this year’s fire season amid the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Career staff from MFB and CFA merged earlier this year to create FRV, which operates across 38 regional stations including Wangaratta’s fire brigade, which has become Station 74.

FRV is the lead organisation within its boundary area, while CFA has responsibility to lead direct bushfire response with support from FRV and vice versa.