Developing younger members to strengthen a brigade

Laura Corby had encouraging and motivated leaders around her

 

Brigades can benefit greatly from the potential that young people bring to CFA, and developing strong youth-adult partnerships can release that potential.

 

CFA currently has more than 6,000 senior members aged over 18 who joined between the ages of 11 and 15, and more than 8,000 senior members who joined at age 16 or 17.

Some brigades have been facing challenges recruiting young volunteers and keeping them engaged. There are concerns that the time and effort invested in recruiting young volunteers might be wasted if they leave for university or move out of town soon after. However, engaging youth is key to the sustainability of our brigades.

CFA has partnered with the HeartWood Centre for Community Youth Development (HeartWood) to learn more about how we can better understand young people, so brigades can create a positive experience for young volunteers and encourage them to stay involved in the community. One of HeartWood’s recommended ‘tools for growth’ is youth-adult partnerships.

As mentors and coaches, supportive adults share interests and experiences in an environment of equity and mutual respect. They support young people by connecting them with their brigade peers and the broader CFA network. By being role models for upcoming generations, adults can help young people develop leadership skills and gain valuable experience in their areas of interest. These partnerships help to create a sense of community and belonging, which is essential for the wellbeing of young people.

There are also benefits for older members. Adult members who work with young people in healthy partnerships are often inspired, energised and more committed to CFA and the communities they serve.

CFA offers a three-hour professional development workshop called ‘Valuing Youth and Young Adults as Volunteers’, developed in partnership with HeartWood. It’s an engaging and interactive workshop that covers topics including shifts in thinking, appreciative approach, the Community Youth Development Model, and taking action.

If you would like to learn more about building healthy youth-adult partnerships, as well as other tools for growth to support positive youth development, contact your regional Volunteer Sustainability Team.

EAGLEHAWK FIRE BRIGADE 2ND LIEUTENANT LAURA CORBY

Laura has been a volunteer with CFA for 17 years, starting as a Junior member with Echuca brigade at age 11. She transferred to Eaglehawk brigade in 2016 and has since progressed from 4th to 2nd Lieutenant and is currently the Building & Assets Coordinator.

Laura’s father and siblings were all firefighters and she was brought along to most brigade events.

“CFA was a second family, a place to make friends and meet people from different towns who had a similar childhood as me, growing up in a fire station. From that age I started to make lifelong friends. I didn’t know it at the time, but I would later end up fighting some big fires alongside them and I think this has formed a bond that is different to a usual friendship.

“One of the best things about starting as a Junior is watching the people ahead of you rise through the ranks, becoming senior members, firefighters, lieutenants and even captains. With motivated and encouraging leaders around me, it felt natural for me to also progress to a leadership position. I encourage the younger members around me now.

“CFA has given me a sense of community and shown me what giving back to help others feels like. As a volunteer, I have been challenged, strengthened, encouraged and motivated by others. I now have a skill set that I use in other areas of my life, including my career path.”

DISTRICT 18 ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER GAVIN WRIGHT

ACFO Gavin Wright joined Plenty brigade Junior Rural Running Team in 1983. Gavin was captain of the brigade from 1999 to 2007. This experience led him to join Victoria Police, before transferring to CFA as a commander. Gavin has been the District 18 ACFO since 2020.

He was inspired to join CFA by his parents and school friends, who were also members of Plenty brigade. By his late teens, CFA became a significant part of his life, not only the social side, but he was also very active operationally.

He was being encouraged to gain new skills and take the first steps into lower-level leadership roles by some mentors within Plenty brigade and the Whittlesea Diamond Valley Group.

“The competitions taught me teamwork and some basic firefighting skills. This was the beginning of feeling like I was part of something bigger, that CFA was like one huge family.

“The experience of being around adults who had a sense of purpose and discipline was a great example to myself and the other Juniors. The moment I turned 16 I joined the senior membership.

“When I was a young member, I was the beneficiary of many experienced career and volunteer firefighters taking the time to pass on lessons and tips to me and I feel an obligation to do the same for the next generation. My main motivation now is focused on supporting volunteers and providing those who are in, or moving towards, a leadership role, with the skills and experiences they need to be successful.

“I think it is great to be part of CFA when you are young, because it’s a great place to learn both practical skills and life skills. If the brigade is made up of good people who are committed and experienced, they are constantly, without even being conscious of it, setting a great example for the Junior members. There is a high probability that these Junior members will then go on and display the same behaviours throughout their journey with CFA and in their broader lives.

“I would encourage brigades who want to recruit more young people to first make sure they have the right environment and behaviours in place. If they do, then the time they invest in the young members will reap benefits in both the short and long term.”

 

Submitted by	Kirsten Dudink and Elaine Hamilton