.jpg "Member News image")
Halls Gap Captain Justin Cozens and new member Katherine Bykovec
Halls Gap Fire Brigade is seeking new members and the rewarding role could be yours.
The brigade is attending events around the community and hosting information nights informing locals about the good work they do.
Captain Justin Cozens has been with the brigade for six years. After moving to Halls Gap, he found CFA was a great way to meet new people and help the community.
The brigade currently has 17 non-operational and operational members, responding to both rural and urban call outs.
The brigade is especially busy during holidays and long weekends when people flock to the tourist town.
Justin said new members would ease the load on current members.
“It’s hard work when there’s only a handful of us. We respond to every call out and having new members would alleviate the workload,” Justin said.
“CFA is a great opportunity to meet other like-minded people in the community.”
New member Katherine Bykovec joined the brigade following the Pomonal and Dadswells Bridge fires in February this year.
“I wanted to join CFA for some time with the prevalence of bushfires and their threat increasing, I also wanted to help on the frontline,” Katherine said.
“Since moving regionally in 2021, I felt it would be a good way to get to know the community around me, and of course, help people.
“So far, I have found it to be thoroughly rewarding in that I am building greater connections in my new community and I am learning some incredible, interesting, engaging stuff.
“I am looking forward to putting in what I learned into practice. One of my fellow volunteers introduced me as a firefighter to a visiting group recently and I was surprised at how much I felt a great sense of pride.
“I had no idea I would enjoy this so much. My only regret is that I didn’t sign up sooner. “
If you’re interested in joining CFA or learning more about volunteering, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer