Left: Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade captain Peter Smith and Michael Pulford are looking for new recruits. 26375
By Casey Neill
KNOX fire brigades are hoping to boost membership with a recruitment drive this week.
The Knox Fire Brigades Group includes Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Montrose, The Basin and Upper Ferntree Gully brigades.
Upper Ferntree Gully CFA captain Peter Smith said the biggest demand was for daytime fire fighters.
“But I’m just after members full stop,” he said.
Mr Smith hopes to attract between six and 10 new recruits.
He urged people to offer whatever time they could.
“We can work around it,” he said.
“Family and work always come before the fire brigade.”
Mr Smith is now in his 36th year as a firefighter.
“I’ve been hanging around the fire station since I was six years old,” he said.
“It’s good fun and it’s putting back into the community.”
He said a strong camaraderie was a key brigade feature.
“We’ve got a good balance of younger and older members,” he said.
“We all get along well. We’re all there for the one purpose.”
Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade’s main recruitment will be on 30 and 31 January at Ferntree Gully Plaza on Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully.
“People will see our big, red fire truck out the front,” Mr Smith said.
CFA volunteers are on call all day, every day to attend house fires, car accidents, industrial accidents and other emergencies.
Brigades will invite potential new recruits to an information session early next month.
Recruits will then complete a three-month, national recognised training course in March.
Anyone who would like to join can call 1800 232 636 or visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au.
Picture: Luke Plummer
