Broadford Fire Brigade is now recruiting new members to help not only with fighting fires but a multitude of roles to serve the community.
Captain Shaun Bastow said Broadford Fire Brigade was made up of 100 per cent volunteers.
“There is more to the fire brigade then just fighting fires,” he said.
“Community involvement is a big part of Broadford and this is where the non-operational members can also contribute to the community.
“Community education, social media, the station and grounds maintenance, is just a few things that need to be looked after.”
Mr Bastow said it was a busy time of year for the CFA.
“Operational members are getting ready for the bushfire season, you will see an increase activity of CFA trucks around town and surrounding areas, as members prepared to do their annual pre-season drills,” he said.
“It’s just not our members who will have a pre-season check, for our trucks will go through various checks as well.”
Mr Bastow said the brigade would focus on memberships and recruitment in the next couple of months.
“With COVID-19, like many other industries, member numbers have dropped. So we need new members to join our brigade,” he said.
“We recently had two structural fires turn outs, two days in a row.
“For the first turn out, it is with thanks to the quick thinking residents who used their fire blanket, that disaster was averted.
“For the second turn out, the house sustained a lot of damage to the front rooms, but it was our volunteers and those of surrounding brigades that stopped this house being totally destroyed.”
Mr Bastow said emergency calls could happen any time during the day – and Broadford CFA must be prepared all year around.
“Our focus 24-7 is keeping our community safe,” he said.
“A majority of our turnout are false alarms. As captain I always think a false alarm call with good intent is better than a call when it’s too late.
“As volunteers we do everything possible to protect the lives and property around us but we can’t be everywhere all the time.”
Mr Bastow encouraged those people interested in finding out more about becoming a CFA volunteer, and who have the commitment and time to dedicate, to drop into the station at 47 Hamilton Street, Broadford, or call Laiton on 0439 313 657 or email chris.skala@members.cfa.vic.gov.au.
