By JESSE GRAHAM
CFA stations around the Yarra Valley are looking for new recruits, as the season of open days continues and the bushfire season draws nearer.
Crews around the valley will be opening their doors over the coming months to recruit new members, answer community questions and raise awareness of fire safety.
Following Badger Creek CFA’s Open Day on 13 September, Healesville’s brigade will hold its own event on Saturday, 31 October, from 9am-4pm.
Fire appliance displays, police displays, fire season preparation information and children’s events will all feature at the Healesville event, and Captain Graeme Bates said the brigade was looking for 20 new volunteer firefighters, to add to its crew of 50.
Capt Bates said that, with a large number of firefighters working full-time, community members able to lend a hand during the day were being encouraged to sign up.
“Any stay-at-home mums, dads, whatever – shift workers, that’s the type of people we really need,” he said.
“Because the community leaves Healesville, so people that are around weird hours, it’s really good for the brigade.”
Capt Bates said the brigade was also looking for new members in the Chum Creek area, as the Healesville brigade also covered that area.
Badger Creek CFA Captain Josh Martin said his brigade would also welcome new members, with 22 volunteers currently on the team.
“For anyone that’s community-minded, and wants to give something back to the community, it’s a brilliant opportunity to make life-long friends, and go through experiences, and see the places of the country not everybody can,” Capt Martin said.
“As a volunteer brigade, you can never have enough (members) – and I think it’s paramount that we’re very team-minded here.”
Capt Martin said that volunteers wouldn’t have to fight fires, but could lend a hand with brigade support or administration.
“Don’t feel like you have to join the fire brigade to be a firefighter,” he said.
Those that are looking to pick up a hose undertake a six-month, nationally-accredited training program, which Capt Bates said would enable them to go out to incidents next year.
“If they sign up now, they won’t be ready until after the fire season,” Capt Bates said.
“(But) we’ll get them ready for the next one.”
Both Capt Bates and Capt Martin said people aged 16 and over were welcome to sign up.
To sign up to the Healesville CFA, visit the station at 62 Crowley Road in Healesville on Sundays after 10am, or Thursday evenings after 7.30pm.
To sign up for the Badger Creek CFA, visit the station at 360 Badger Creek Road on Sundays from 9am-10am and on the first, second and third Thursday of the month from 7.30pm.
Coldstream CFA will be holding its Open Day from 10am-2pm on 15 November at 670 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream.
Yarra Glen’s Open Day from 9am-12pm on 21 November at Yarra Glen IGA.
