Fire season starts at the end of this month, and the region's fire brigades are preparing to protect our communities once again.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"We got plenty of practice last year!" Canyonleigh RFS brigade secretary Terry Biscoe said. "We were out among the fires, so the crew we've got now are very experienced. They've all had first-hand experience on the fire front."
Many new volunteers have enlisted in the region's RFS brigades, joining 74,000 existing members across the state. These crew members may attend fires, help at road accidents, or assist in storms, floods, and searches.
READ ALSO:
Hill Top RFS reported that 52 people applied for membership; 27 completed the application process, and the others have been put on a waiting list.
"Before the fires," senior deputy captain Michelle Coates said, "we were a small crew with a mixture of experienced members and members with little experience, but they all stepped up and did the most amazing job. They are a great group of people, and we are really proud of them. This influx of new members is very welcome, as we always need new blood."
The Exeter Rural Fire Brigade had 12 new volunteers pass their assessment, so they are now ready for call-outs - but the brigade is always after more volunteers.
The Wingello RFB also has nine or ten new members. "Our town was impacted; I think that egged a few people on to join up, which is lovely," community engagement officer Steph said.
The brigades are now overflowing with additional human resources, RFS community safety officer Inspector David Stimson said - "an incredible number of people".
"We invite anyone who has an interest in the Rural Fire Service and in contributing to their communities," Inspector Stimson said. "We're always open; we won't say no, but people need to fully understand what the expectations are.
"If you are a member of the Rural Fire Service, it's not always glory and guts. It is tough and dirty and difficult work. The hours aren't all that good. But people do it because they feel honoured to provide a service for their community."
Not every role involved riding on fire trucks and fighting fires, but there were other positions, including working in a communications centre, administering first aid, or catering.
Social distancing under COVID has, however, made training large groups more difficult. During the tightest lockdown period, Inspector Stimson explained, brigades were advised they should only do essential training. This has relaxed, but restrictions are still in place.
RFS fire trucks are currently only allowed to have four crewmembers, but some of them are equipped to transport six people.
In Wingecarribee, brigades used to meet every Wednesday night, but had to restrict the number of people who could meet in their station buildings.
The Hill Top RFS divided their group in half; they run two hour-long training sessions on Wednesday evenings, and sanitise all equipment and vehicles between classes. The training programme the crew worked out went well, Ms Coates said, even though on some nights new members worked outside in freezing weather on hoses and pumps.
"Training everyone has created its own challenges," Ms Coates said. "It's a whole new world out there!"
The Wingello RFB has gone online to train small groups several times a week. "They're all ready to go!" Steph said.
Exeter Fire Brigade has had to put weekly training on hold, but crewmembers are still checking on equipment every week.
"Training has been very difficult because of the restrictions of COVID," Inspector Stimson said. "All our volunteers in our brigades have adapted well to ensuring that these new volunteers have got the training they need to ready for this season coming."