Preparations are underway for the Hallam CFA’s first open day to be held on Sunday, 6 November. Pictured are firefighters Terry Danns and Lilli Popetrov.By Rebecca Fraser
CASEY residents have been invited to come and take a peek into the inside running of the Hallam CFA station.
On Sunday, 6 November the station will hold its inaugural open day and fire officer Michael Lia said community fire safety would be the day’s key focus.
“This will be the first opportunity for the community to come and have a look,” he said.
“The open day is all about showing the community the new facility and how the station operates.
“It is also about forging new relationships with the local community.”
Police and Emergency Services Minister Tim Holding is expected to attend and present the brigade with its own Australian flag.
The Hallam station opened just over a year ago and Mr Lia said the brigade had gone from strength to strength.
Last financial year it attended 1740 calls, averaging five callouts a day.
The brigade will perform fire fighting and hazardous material drills on the open day including decontamination demonstrations.
The junior fire brigade will also take part in a hosedrill display.
Mr Lia said the brigade was always on the look out for more volunteers, particularly junior recruits, auxiliary members and people available during the day.
He said the 25 staff, in addition to a committed team of volunteers, manned the 24hour station.
“ Hopefully we will get more inquiries to join because of the exposure from the open day,” he said.
“The volunteers are pretty fluid as we often loose a few and gain a few.
“We aim to have about 30 at any given time, but we don’t knock people back and will create a waiting list if need be.”
Mr Lia said fire officers and volunteers would be trying to keep the open day relevant to local residents by discussing kitchen hazards, household evacuation plans and the importance of smoke detectors.
Captain Koala, the CFA mascot, will also pay a visit and the Berwick Auxiliary will have a barbecue as well as cakes, tea and coffee available.
The open day is from 10am to 3pm at the Hallam CFA corner of Young Street and HallamBelgrave Road.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can call 8795 7513 and leave a message for second lieutenant David Miller.
