![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/06\/IMG_3391_89158.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A non-operational member is defined as someone who doesn\u2019t turn out to fire rescue and fire containment calls.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the beauty of the CFA; you can do as much or as little as you like,\u201d second lieutenant Libby Burnett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew members aren\u2019t thrown in the deep end and there is a really strong supportive group here.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a fantastic brigade with a great culture and we provide great support when we mentor new volunteers on our trucks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Crozier, who is approaching his 50th year with the CFA, said the biggest asset to the CFA is its people.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have met wonderful people through the CFA, and they\u2019ve been my friends forever. This is my seventh brigade, I\u2019m just one of those tragics, I suppose,\u201d Mr Crozier said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter how much you do; your pay packet doesn\u2019t change.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to contributing to your town, it really is like gaining a whole other family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volunteers at Barwon Heads Fire Brigade train most Tuesday nights and conduct community activities each Sunday.<\/p>\n
New qualified operational members can expect to conduct a wide variety of tasks ranging from local house fires, road accidents and gas leaks to fallen trees, false alarms and bushfires.<\/p>\n
Ms Burnett emphasised not being daunted by the idea of walking into a local station to express interest, especially at Barwon Heads.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust come down and have a chat with us, we\u2019re down here every Sunday and it\u2019s the perfect way to connect with great people,\u201d Ms Burnett said.<\/p>\n
For more information on what you can do to stay fire-safe this winter or to find out more about volunteering, head to cfa.vic.gov.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Barwon Heads Fire Brigade are encouraging eager residents across the Bellarine to join up at a local CFA unit just in time for the summer season. Brigade captain John Crozier said joining up at any of the eight stations across the region does take time, but now was the time do so. \u201cNow is […]<\/p>\n