A volunteer’s perspective of the new off-road driving course

Off road driving in action

 

In the heart of our firefighting community, there are stories of transformation and growth. Today, we bring you an inspiring tale from one of our volunteer firefighters who undertook the five-day off-road driving course.

 

Initially, the volunteer was sceptical about the duration of the course. The idea of spending five days on an off-road course seemed excessive. However, from the moment the course began at the campus, their perspective started to shift.

The first day was dedicated to theory, providing the necessary knowledge in a straightforward manner. On the second day, the controlled driving course was introduced, offering an understanding of what multiple vehicles could achieve and a chance to assess personal skills.

The final three days were the highlight of the course. These days were spent exploring the bush, constantly applying risk assessments, and determining the best routes. This hands-on experience proved to be both interesting and beneficial for learning and development.

Despite having considerable off-road driving experience, the volunteer was amazed by how much they learned from this course. The skills acquired have proven to be useful not only for their role in the CFA but also for everyday driving.

The off-road course has rekindled the volunteer’s passion for CFA. They are now advocating for all brigade members to apply for this course when more become available.

The success of this course is attributed to quality content of the program and the delivery by the driving instructors. Their expertise and dedication have made this course enjoyable among participants and has given them valuable skills to enable them to do their job safely.

We respect and acknowledge the precious time that volunteers commit to CFA. At times it’s a delicate balance to ensure the learning outcomes are met and that volunteer time is used efficiently.

 

Submitted by	Stuart Walker