Channel Ten weather presenter Jayde Cotic spent the afternoon at CFA’s Training Campus at Bangholme in Carrum Downs on Wednesday, to mark National Volunteer Week 2026.
The training campus is a base for CFA volunteers to engage in practical hands-on training in a safe environment.
Jayde got a front seat to some live fire training during her weather crosses, alongside Kangaroo Fire Brigade firefighter Tash Sinclair who joined her to talk about how she got involved.
“When I first moved to a bushfire area, we didn’t know anyone, so I reached out to our local brigade and a couple of our amazing members came out and did a property advice visit with us,” Tash said.
“We got talking and they demystified what volunteering is all about, so I thought, I could do that, and one thing lead to another and here I am.”
The theme for National Volunteer Week of Your Year to Volunteer is a fitting nod to CFA’s statewide recruitment Give us a Hand that is continuing for a fourth year.
“Volunteers are at the core of what we do at CFA, and I know for me the contrast between CFA and my day job sitting behind desk is something I really appreciate,” Tash said.
“But the diversity that each of the volunteers bring to the organisation and their different backgrounds alongside the passion about what we do is amazing.”
If you’re interested in joining CFA or learning more about volunteering, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer.