This week, 11-17 May, is National Volunteer Week, a particular time to recognise and reflect on the many contributions that volunteers make to the CFA and our communities.
District 6 has almost 2,500 volunteers connected with 64 brigades, and they’ve had a busy 12 months! These are just some of the events, activities and achievements we would like to thank our volunteers for:
- 3 x strike teams (84 volunteers) who provided support at the January bushfires in Moyston and Adelaide;
- 568 ‘primary calls’;
- 1,367 brigade alerts to respond to these 568 incidents – resulting in individuals turning out on almost 5,900 occasions collectively!
- 198 members received service awards;
- 128 new volunteers registered;
- 74 members completed Minimum Skills;
- Volunteer trainers and assessors prepared these 74 members for Minimum Skills final assessment;
- Many, many meetings – with individuals, Brigades, Groups, District and local communities;
- 64 brigades will have held elections meetings;
- 64 brigades will have had their annual inspection completed;
- 3 members became ‘Fire Safe Kids’ presenters (adding to the District 6 total of 22);
- 3 members represented the District at the Australia Day March in Melbourne;
- Grant applications and fundraising activities;
- Junior and Senior Urban and Rural competitions;
- Coordination of District Junior Championships at Irrewarra;
- Prescribed burns that also support the work of other land management agencies;
- Many Brigades and individuals have participated in leadership programs, workshops, trialling new resources, training pilots and other projects delivered through the Volunteer Support Program (District Volunteerism, Brigade Sustainability and Wellbeing);
- Individuals provided feedback about the CFA’s Draft Volunteerism Strategy;
- Lots of great stories about Brigades and their achievements in local newspapers;
- And more!
A huge THANK YOU to volunteers, their families and employers, from all staff in District 6.
Author: Sally Sneddon