Local CFA seeks volunteers for different roles

CFA volunteers receive a team briefing before a burn-off along the Melton Highway on December 6 last year. (Supplied)

Caroline Springs and Hillside fire brigades, which respond on average to almost 1000 fire and emergency call-outs a year, are on the lookout for more volunteers.

The 25-member Caroline Springs brigade, which is made up of staff and volunteers ranging in age from 19 to 71, celebrated National Volunteer Week last week.

“Our oldest is a Vietnam War veteran, Robert Taylor,” secretary Jess Meilak said.

“He’s non-operational but a very active member.

“The brigade is not only made up of members who attend fires. We also have non-operational members, who contribute to the running of the brigade and attend community events to educate the community on fire safety.

“The brigade was involved in the Christmas Day fire in Sunbury, which burnt 58 hectares but no houses were lost. We were also first on the scene for the New Year’s Eve grassfire in Truganina.”

In the past financial year, the team responded to 849 incidents, including grassfires, car accidents and factory fires.

The brigade also conducted fire safety community events in Brimbank.

Details: www.cfa.vic.gov.au