By Pam Kiriakidis
What it takes to be a volunteer was the hot topic of discussion at Mernda Fire Brigade Authority’s annual open day on October 16.
Country Fire Authority, CFA, volunteers opened their doors and rolled out their trucks at 10am for families to ask questions about CFA, while participating in pony rides with Findon Pony Club and Adult Rides, face painting as well as fire truck rides.
The day went on to be an educational experience, featuring volunteers completing a fire demonstration to inform the public about the work volunteers dedicate themselves to.
Mernda’s neighbour Doreen CFA also attended to display their pumper and tanker, and to answer questions from the public.
After few years of not hosting an open day due to the pandemic, CFA Mernda captain Steven Dusting was on board to remind the community about the brigade and its work.
“Just to get our brand out there, because a lot of people don’t know that were volunteers,” he said.
“It’s fantastic, there’s lots of people – lots of young people in the community.
“This is one of the main things that we’re doing at the moment, trying to concentrate on getting the truck out the door.”
Paramedics from Ambulance Victoria, specifically the Mernda and Whittlesea branch, also delivered their knowledge on the day, talking people through on CPR with mannequins.
Mernda Ambulance senior team manager Wendy Morrow said part of the service at the open day was to acknowledge ‘Shocktober’, a month dedicated to calling triple zero, followed by CPR and defibrillators.
“It’s important to improve out of hospital cardiac arrest survival rate as well so we know there’s a chain of survival and the more you actually teach bystander CPR, and how to use debriefs as well, the greater chance of survival the patient has,” she said.
Ms Morrow said she was keen to collaborate with CFA Mernda on annual open days to offer education.
“I’m hopeful that we can make this an annual event with the Mernda CFA as well,” she said.
Whittlesea paramedic Kate Collins told children about triple zero by handing out books and stickers.
“If you’re going to teach kids anything, it’s how to call for an ambulance and call for help, it’s good to just have us or someone else coming to assist,” she said.
