Doors to open for local brigade

MEMBERS of one of the region’s CFA brigades will be opening their fire station door to the public as part of their first open day since before COVID took hold.

From 5.30pm on Friday 30 June, everyone is invited to Lethbridge Brigade as part of a recruitment drive aimed at boosting volunteer numbers.

Lethbridge CFA firefighter and secretary Kirsty Blake said people don’t have to put on the yellows to be involved with the community-based emergency service.

“This is an opportunity for people to meet our volunteers and suss out what we do and whether they might be interested in joining,” she said.

“That can be operational or non-operational. We always need people to help with fundraisers as we also need daytime and evening responders as well.

“We’d love to recruit more locals across all roles. We’re a good, strong brigade but there’s always time, work, family pressures on our volunteers.”

The Lethbridge CFA currently has about operational and non-operational 40 members.

When not answering calls to combat fires, the brigade members also organise their annual Bunnings sausage sizzles, wood raffles and community Christmas events.

Ms Blake said the open night is also a great way to introduce people to their local first responders.

“Quite often you’ll only see the shed door open when we’re out responding to an emergency, so it’s a good opportunity for people to meet others,” she said.

“Lethbridge is experiencing rapid growth. There’s always new people moving into the area that want to get involved or do something with the community.

“Even if you’re not interested in volunteering, it’s still worthwhile to come down and meet us because we’ll have information on summer fire-readiness and smoke detectors, anything like that.”

The Lethbridge CFA Brigade fire station is located at 28 Russell Street.