Seasonal firefighters strengthen CFA

 

An initiative driven by brigades is boosting the firefighter ranks in an innovative way.  

 

If community members who live in Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) response areas apply to become CFA firefighters, they are normally rejected – it would be impossible for them to turn out fast enough given the distance to their nearest CFA station.

Rowville Fire Brigade members had the clever idea that they could recruit these people as seasonal firefighters who would turn out specifically to fight grass and bushfires as part of a strike team, support VICSES in storm and flood response, and carry out planned burns as members of the Planned Burn Taskforce. These activities don’t usually need as fast a response.

New seasonal firefighters are activated in the lead-up to summer to complete all the Chief Officer’s minimum requirements and participate in brigade training. They are deactivated at the end of summer if they choose to, however the current crop of seasonal firefighters typically stays on during winter to participate in all brigade activities.

When qualified, they are encouraged to join strike teams where they will be paired up with an experienced firefighter. 

District 13 held an information session at Rowville Fire Station on a winter's evening to encourage a group of young people to join either Rowville or Boronia brigades as seasonal firefighters. These potential firefighters live in an FRV response area of Melbourne.

The session was run by Commander Richard Hill, Rowville Fire Brigade Captain Cien Pereira and Boronia Fire Brigade Captain Ramon Relph. 

“What we really need are strike teams,” Ramon said. “They are our bread and butter.” 

Ramon, who’s a strike team leader, said being part of strike teams leads to strong friendships and life-long memories. They are also a crucial part of CFA’s response.  

“Being on a strike team is rewarding. A pre-planned strike team that’s in position before a fire hits can save a whole town.” Richard said. 

The Knox Group in District 13, which currently has 20 seasonal firefighters, has seen the benefits of this program.
“I would like the seasonal firefighter initiative to be adopted across all of metro Melbourne,” Richard said. “Why would we ignore people who live in metro Melbourne? They can get to a CFA station fairly quickly. 

“People in metro Melbourne care about people in regional and rural Victoria and want to help.” 

Two current seasonal firefighters attended the session to answer any questions. Wes Armstead and John Anastasoglou qualified as seasonal firefighters in October 2023. 

Wes hasn’t been part of a strike team yet, but he has gained valuable experience with the Planned Burn Taskforce.  

“When the 2019 Mallacoota fire happened, I watched the news and saw that people had lost everything. It was devastating,” Wes said. “Seeing American firefighters in Melbourne helping us inspired me to join CFA.”  

He has carried out planned burns in Belgrave, Olinda and around the Rowville Lakes golf course. He also checked the safety at a Knox Council fireworks display. 

“I really like planned burns and helping local brigades. It’s good experience to light a fire and then put it out.” 

“After I freshly graduated with a degree in environmental science, I knew that I wanted to help mitigate the effects of climate change,” John said. “I’m pursuing a career in bushfire management and have also decided to become a firefighter.” 

John joined a strike team to help fight the 2024 Beaufort bushfire and he was also part of an SES Taskforce in Frankston to clean up fallen branches after a storm. 

“I would like to progress to be a crew leader, develop as a CFA leader and use my knowledge from university,” John said. 

As a result of the evening information session, Boronia and Rowville brigades each gained four firefighters.

 

Submitted by	News and Media