Firefighters want you too

By Paul Pickering
AS AUSTRALIA celebrates its loyal hordes of volunteer workers during National Volunteer Week (14-20 May), Dandenong Ranges fire brigades are set to open their doors to prospective members.
Throughout May, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) will be conducting a recruitment campaign aimed at bolstering hills brigades, culminating in an Open Day at each of the stations on Saturday, 2 June.
While few would deny the nobility of volunteer work, many people feel they simply do not have the time to give.
Work commitments, of course, are chief among the time-consuming responsibilities that drain from the pool of would-be volunteers.
But, as Grant Willard can attest, many business owners not only accommodate the heightened responsibilities of firefighters but embrace them.
Mr Willard is the owner of Belgrave South Home Hardware and a Lieutenant at the Belgrave South and Heights Fire Brigade.
He also has three volunteer firefighters on his roster, representing three separate hills brigades.
As well as his son Daniel, who also serves at Belgrave South and Heights, he employs Sassafras-Ferny Creek firefighter John Tomada and Belgrave Lieutenant Martin Kerby.
While Mr Willard admits that there have been occasions when the call of duty has left his roster looking a little bare, he believes the positives of employing a CFA member far outweigh the negatives.
“Firstly, I suppose you know that you’ve employed a trustworthy person,” he said, before noting the valuable leadership and teamwork skills that translate into the work environment.
“It’s also good for business, particularly local retailers like ours, because it does draw people in from other brigades.
“And for larger companies, firefighting experience can often come in handy in coordinating emergency response procedures.”
Mr Willard said that the time commitments associated with being a firefighter are also less restrictive than most people assume.
Drawing upon his own experience, Mr Willard says that he would definitely encourage other employers to give their staff the opportunity to volunteer with community organisations such as the CFA.
People interested in volunteering with the CFA are invited to attend their local hills fire brigade between 10am and 3pm on Saturday, 2 June.
Alternatively, CFA headquarters can be contacted on 1800 232 636.