Volunteer firefighters are regular people, not super fit athletes, says a Border group keen to recruit more members.
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In there to help the community, that's their main aim, to get out there and help people in their worst time
- Todd Atkin
Wodonga Urban Fire Brigade will hold an information night on Tuesday as part of its annual campaign to increase volunteer numbers.
Third lieutenant Todd Atkin knows such an approach can work, having joined the brigade via a similar event nearly five years ago.
“It’s great for camaraderie and it’s like a second family for me,” he said.
“I think the biggest buzz I get out of it is the thank-yous from the community.
“I’ve been over in Numurkah for bushfires and you drive down the street and everyone’s ‘Thank-you’, ‘Thank-you’.
“You don’t know them from a bar of soap but they’re appreciative that you’ve taken the time to help them.”
Wodonga Urban Fire Brigade has about 35 active members, ranging in age from 20 to 60 years.
Mr Atkin said while basic fitness was required, volunteers came in all shapes and sizes and older members weren’t “tossed on the scrap heap”.
“There’s always something to be done around the brigade and their skills and experience are looked on highly,” he said.
Duties include attending road crashes, storm damage, grass and scrub fires, house fires, children locked in cars, Good Friday Appeal and assisting other services.
“It’s not just a matter of putting water on a fire,” the brigade officer said.
“I’ve had my hand in everything, which has been good in a way because of the experience you get.
“They’re things that you use, you can adapt to other parts of your life.”
Mr Atkin said brigade members appreciated the support and understanding of their loved ones and employers.
“Family life at times can be a struggle, especially in the big summers, we spend a lot of time out on trucks,” he said.
“I’ve had some really good bosses that will let me go on strike teams, they understand the importance of the volunteers.
“In there to help the community, that’s their main aim, to get out there and help people in their worst time.”
- The information night will be held 7.30pm Tuesday at Wodonga Urban Fire Brigade, 1 Smythe Street, Wodonga. More information on Facebook or 0439319792
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