Sue Sheldrick and Shari Pritchard
The training day on 18 August brought together more than 20 dedicated volunteer firefighters, including volunteer PAD instructors, with the support of staff at VEMTC Wangaratta training campus.
The event was designed to prepare participants for various fire-related scenarios they may encounter in their volunteer roles, emphasising both hands-on experience and leadership development.
The day was enriched by the involvement of two passionate volunteers, Sue Sheldrick and Shari Pritchard (pictured above), who took the lead to provide new and valuable experiences for attendees.
Sue is a long-time volunteer, ex-captain, and currently a member of South Wangaratta Fire Brigade. She focused on the importance of driving a tanker, a skill she believes every volunteer should have the confidence and training to acquire if they wish. She advised participants to consider obtaining the Medium Rigid truck licence, which is essential for operating most fire trucks.
"Many volunteers don’t realise they can achieve this skill, and support the capacity of their brigade to respond," Sue said, emphasising that the "come and try" experience was about empowering others to take on roles they might have previously considered out of reach.
Shari, a member at both Laceby West Fire Brigade and District 23 Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation Team, offered a different perspective by introducing participants to the crucial role of rehabilitation in incident response. For those who may not wish to be on the frontline, Shari demonstrated how they can contribute by joining the rehabilitation team and consider driving the rehabilitation vehicle - a task that requires only a standard car licence.
Rehab tasks include providing rest, hydration, food, and monitoring to support firefighters during operations.
"Rehabilitation is an essential part of our response efforts, and it's a role where anyone can make a significant impact," Shari said.
The hot fire training day was more than just a practical exercise, it was an opportunity for volunteers to expand their skills, explore new areas of interest, and build confidence in their abilities. The event highlighted the diverse opportunities in CFA and the supportive network that encourages women to take on new challenges.
As CFA continues to empower its volunteers through events like this, the organisation remains committed to fostering a strong, inclusive, and skilled team ready to face any emergency.
We have created a Women's Volunteer Networking Group to create a supportive and empowering space for women volunteers. While our focus is on women, anyone who shares our mission and values is welcome to join and contribute to our efforts. We hope you’ll be part of this inspiring network. Members from District 22 and District 23 are invited to join the Facebook page.
| Submitted by |
Michelle Critchley |