On 1 May, the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre hosted the Stanley River Rural Fire Brigade Group’s recruitment night where they shared fire safety information in the lead-up to bushfire season.
Villeneuve RFB secretary Jacob Murphy said the Stanley River Rural Brigade encompasses areas such as Hazledean and Kilcoy with volunteering providing excellent practical development opportunities.
“There’s a sense of mateship, you’re getting out there into the community into places you’ve never seen before and it bonds you with your fellow volunteers,” he said.
“It also provides many training opportunities that you wouldn’t normally have in daily life.
“Out of the 30 community members who showed up, we had nine solely interested in recruitment, and five of those nine signed up that night.”
Mr Murphy said the night covered information including bushfire survival plans, fire danger ratings, and burning permits and restrictions.
“As far as preparedness goes, now is the time for hazard reduction burning, because we’re outside of that peak fire season,” he said.
“Once it starts drying out a little bit on a case by case basis it’s perfect to start burning and reducing that risk.”
Mr Murphy said volunteering opportunities can encompass more than just firefighting positions.
“We’re also after support personnel, that may include helping run meals out, transporting people from A to B, or cleaning up,” he said.
“It just really helps the brigades to know that there is that support behind the scenes.”
“We understand that not everyones available all the time, but we only ask if people have a few hours of a week or month that they could come in and help out.”
Bushfire Season can start as early as July, with peak fire activity occurring in Spring.
Members of the community are urged to visit the QFES website for information on volunteering opportunities and safety tips: www.qfes.qld.gov.au/prepare/bushfire
