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DFES calls for firey volunteers

Michael TraillNarrogin Observer
Area officer for Narrogin East, Grant Hansen, said Narrogin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service in particular could use some fresh blood in their ranks.
Camera IconArea officer for Narrogin East, Grant Hansen, said Narrogin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service in particular could use some fresh blood in their ranks. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman, Cally Dupe

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ acting superintendent for the Upper Great Southern is calling for community members to step up and join local volunteer firefighting brigades.

Terry Shehan said while potential active members were always welcome, there were also plenty of support roles to be filled to bolster the regions ability to manage emergencies and battle blazes.

“There are very, very important support roles, that if people want to contribute, there’s really a lot of support roles people can still do without actually going out to the fire line,” Mr Shehan said.

“Some of them might be operating radio, doing maintenance on the vehicles at the station, helping clean the station, helping manage the trucks — there a whole lot of things like that.

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“Volunteers are critical to emergency services throughout WA, in many roles beyond just firefighting.”

With constant turnover of members, Mr Shehan said brigades across the region were always on the lookout for new members.

Area officer for Narrogin East, Grant Hansen, said Narrogin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service in particular could use some fresh blood in their ranks.

“One that comes to mind is Narrogin VFRS. That’s a class one brigade; they respond to over 100 incidents a year,” he said.

“They could certainly do with some more younger, fitter members. They’re down to probably half a dozen active members.”

Sixteen volunteer firefighters from the Upper Great Southern have been deployed to the Goldfields or NSW this fire season, putting strain on local brigades.

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