The Morwell CFA is looking for more people to jump on board their local brigade to volunteer as much time as they can spare while providing a vital community service.
Morwell Fire Brigade Second Lieutenant Peter Keenan has been a volunteer firie for 43 years and said it gave him personal satisfaction and a sense of camaraderie.
“It’s exciting to get called out and support staff. It’s satisfying to see how we have saved a house as best as we can,” Lieutenant Keenan said.
He said there were currently 45 members of the Morwell Fire Brigade, who supported the six professional fire fighters on each shift but they needed more volunteer support.
“We need more, younger personnel for firefighting or to do other jobs around the station. It’s getting harder to find younger people to volunteer,” he said.
“We are picking up younger volunteers slowly and surely but we need more.”
Lieutenant Keenan said many brigades across the state faced ageing memberships which put pressure on existing volunteers.
Prospective volunteers must attend a preliminary interview before they can attend a training session. Volunteers must attend a minimum of eight per cent turn-outs and weekly training sessions each year.
Volunteers must also pass an eight-day minimum skills’ course that teaches them fire behaviour, safety on the fire ground and pump operations, before they get a uniform and a pager.
Morwell Fire Brigade volunteer Jenna Rees joined about a year ago. The 26-year-old encouraged more young women to sign up and learn new practical skills they can also use in daily life.
“There’s nothing scary about it. And they will train anyone who wants to give it a go and has the right determination,” she said.
Ms Rees said she has learnt everything from how to use a chainsaw through to ladder safety and map reading.
She said her first turn-out was a grass and scrub fire at Hearnes Oak and she was pumped full of adrenaline.
“I didn’t know what to expect or who would be there. Now I’m getting more confident and comfortable attending turn-out. Each call out is different. It’s up to me if I want to go,” she said.
The Morwell Fire Brigade will soon hold a fire station open day to invite the public in and explain how to sign up.
For more information, call Second Lieutenant Peter Keenan on 0412 513 294.
