By Shelby Brooks
An open door policy has helped the community get to know their local CFA volunteers.
“We try to encourage as many people as possible to know that we’re here,” Pakenham CFA captain Michael Corzelius said.
Mr Corzelius said CFA volunteers loved waving to the community who walked past the John Street station during training nights and are always happy to show children the fire trucks.
“We want people to know there are volunteers out there in your community that are there to support you,” Mr Corzelius said.
Pakenham CFA has 78 volunteers- 35 of which are active firefighters and the rest support staff.
“Our volunteers put in as much time as they can, and they do lots of over and above,” Mr Corzelius said.
“They do anything from firefighting to Good Friday Appeal collections.”
Firefighters range in age from 17 years old to people in their late 60s, of all genders and cultural backgrounds.
This year, the brigade is celebrating 93 years in the community.
“For us, it’s business as usual. Nothing has changed in the way the brigade has serviced the community for 93 years,” Pakenham CFA volunteer Stuart Sinclair said.
Deputy chief officer for the CFA’s South East region Trevor Owen paid a visit to the Pakenham Station to commend the volunteers for National Volunteer Week.
“You’ve got to have respect for these people. I’m a paid employee but they’re volunteers- they get no financial recognition for the work they do. They come here because they want to come here.
“They are passionate about their community and they want to provide a service and you can’t ask for more than that.
“When you’re taking local people who live and work in their community and respond in their community, they have a real interest in protecting their community. No one knows the risk better than the locals.”
Mr Owen said volunteering for a local CFA brigade could be live changing.
He began as a volunteer in his local brigade before making a career with the association.
“The benefits are you get to mix with a great group of people who are equally community minded,” he said.
“You get training, life experience and skills you wouldn’t usually get in any other community group.
“Volunteering for an emergency service like the CFA gives you a network and experience you don’t normally get.”
Pakenham CFA is looking for daytime volunteer responders to help round out its brigade.
“We do lack daytime responders at the moment. It’s hard because a lot of us work full time out of the district.,“ Mr Corzelius said.
“We need people home during the day who are interested in becoming volunteer firefighters.
“That might be people who work from home, uni students, shift workers, people not working, retirees or parents who stay home with kids.“
Mr Corzelius said daytime volunteers could respond to structure fires, alarm premise checks and community emergencies.
“Saving lives doesn’t get put on hold from 9am to 5pm, so we need members who can take on this role,“ Mr Corzelius said.
“Our volunteers come from all walks of life and have diverse backgrounds, interests and skills.“
Those responses could be in the Pakenham area but also supporting Toomuc, Nar Nar Goon and Kooweerup brigades in their areas.
“It’s a way for people to support their community and get to know new friends and help save lives,“ he said.
No experiences is necessary, with all relevant training and equipment provided at no cost to the volunteer.
