Hume City Council is highlighting the year-round work of Victoria's volunteer and professional firefighters in celebration of International Firefighters Day on Sunday 4 May.
Keeping us safe are the roughly 4,500 professional career firefighters employed by Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), and the nearly 51,000 Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers who support them.
Two of Hume City Council's newest councillors, Cr Ally Watson of Yubup Ward and Cr Daniel English of Mount Ridley Ward, are both part of these important crews.
Along with our Mayor, Cr Jarrod Bell of Jacksons Creek Ward, also a volunteer firefighter, this means one quarter of Hume's Councillor Group is connected to fire services in our community.
Each role is rooted in making a positive impact on the community, protecting the lives of friends and neighbours, and contributing to the overall wellbeing of locals.
So, what led our councillors to their current roles in the firefighting community?
For Cr Watson, who balances her CFA volunteer role alongside her councillor duties and her Monday to Friday job, it was initially about becoming more involved in her community in Kalkallo.
"I applied to be a firefighter, which was totally out of my comfort zone!
"I'm proud that even though I am not an operational member now, I went through all the training and qualified as a Wildfire Firefighter, something I never really pictured myself achieving."
Being non-operational means Cr Watson no longer responds to a callout to a fire, although proving a role in the CFA can be for anyone, she still wears many hats in the organisation.
"As the Brigade Secretary, it's my responsibility to look after the administrative side of things...member management is a key focus of my role. I also coordinate our brigade management team meetings and our all-member brigade meetings. Have you spotted our brigade's social media? I manage those too!"
On the other side of the fence, Cr English is a second-generation volunteer firefighter and has been working as a full-time professional firefighter for FRV in Craigieburn since 2007, balanced with his new councillor commitments.
"I am rostered (for FRV) on a 10/14 roster cycle. 2-day shifts of 10 hours, followed by 2-night shifts of 14 hours then 4 days off on a rotating cycle all year.
"Then I can usually find time when my kids go to school to read some council papers and the many emails we receive."
International Firefighters Day is an important time to recognise firefighters for their service, for the time commitment of our passionate volunteers, and for those who risk their lives to protect us, for many at personal cost without asking for anything in return.
"Ask a CFA member why they volunteer with the service, and most will say that they want to give something back to their community", says Cr Watson. "It's not about recognition and reward; it's about doing something meaningful."
That meaningful work continues as we approach winter, with our councillors reminding residents that fire danger and the work of our service people are always present.
"Some may think FRV are quiet in winter but that may not be the case," says Cr English. "Due to the cold weather and rain, we attend a lot more motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and of course home heaters and people trying to keep warm with open fires or fire pits...some may not know FRV also respond to emergency medical responses."
Cr Watson agrees "There are 3,000 house fires on average each year in Victoria. Most could be prevented. CFA has some great information about home safety, including a handy checklist, on its website that I encourage all residents to have a look at."
So, remember to celebrate our firefighters not just on 4 May but every day, and if you feel inspired by our councillors why not look into how you can help your community?
"Give it a go!", says Cr Watson. "CFA offers a variety of operational and non-operational roles. For firefighters, there are so many different qualifications to work towards from operating a chainsaw, to wearing breathing apparatus, to fire investigation, and the list goes on. Non-operational members can fundraise for new equipment, educate kids about fire safety, work in peer support roles and more."
And if you're looking to make a career out of saving lives, Cr English says it's challenging but rewarding for anyone in the community to give it a go.
"I would always encourage anybody of all ages, race or gender to apply to be a fire fighter as it can be a highly rewarding career. I do speak the truth as to what you may be confronted with, but we at the fire station are like one big family and we are all there for each other like brothers or sisters."
