THE HUGE response to the call for fresh recruits to don the well-known yellows of our Rural Fire Service (RFS) is putting a spring back in the step of weary firies still recovering after last year's Black Summer.
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At North Macskville, Captain Paulla Brownhill says she is one happy leader after 17 new members signed up earlier in the year.
"As a brigade we had been dying slowly for years and we were struggling emotionally after last season but this influx of wonderful new members has changed all that," Paulla said.
"From having eight crew and only two drivers, we now have six drivers - it has taken a huge load off our shoulders and couldn't have come at a better time."
Paulla said the enthusiasm with which the new recruits have approached their training was phenomenal.
"It is a huge commitment with 20 hours online and 40 hours practical training but no one has baulked - they are a real quality bunch and it means our brigade has a future.
"It makes me smile every time I think about it."
Among those who have stepped up are Teresa Dupond and her 13-year-old son Toby Laurence.
"I've always wanted to be part of the RFS or SES," Teresa said.
"I have been a truck driver in the past and figured I had some skills to offer ... I'm able-bodied, my youngest (of five) has started school and the time is right.
"I'm loving it ... I've already met lots of new people and been out to a fire. I've passed my on-road and off-road tests so I can drive with lights and sirens now. It's great learning new skills and being part of a team."
Having Toby at her side at training is the icing on the cake.
"Toby came along to the open day and started asking me immediately when he could get his uniform."
And now Toby is officially the brigade's first junior member.
"I felt really inspired ... being in the uniform makes me feel confident and I am learning so much," Toby said.
"I've already learnt to tie better knots and we've been working on hose rolling. I've got three mentors and I got my numbers yesterday (Tuesday)."
Toby is aware he can't actually go out to fires until he is 16 but he can see what lies ahead and he is willing to work towards it.
Over at Utungun, spirits are similarly lifted with Deputy Captain Paul Schadel saying that nine new recruits had nearly doubled the brigade.
"It's great having younger members come on board ... it was really apparent that age was becoming a limitation to our future and that we needed a succession plan," Paul said.
"A lot of the younger ones have jobs and kids, so during the week it is basically the same crew but having others available to fill the gaps on the weekends makes a huge difference."
Paul said the hardest thing about last summer was the sleep deprivation.
"That's what knocked a lot of us around ... it was so relentless and draining. The tiredness takes its toll and takes a long time to recover - you just feel burnt out (no pun intended)."
Lower North Coast Zone manager Lachlann Ison said there had been over 100 new membership applications since the fires, however COVID had impacted the ability to 'on-board' everyone in a timely manner.
"Training is being undertaken in line with social distancing, hygiene and other COVID measures," Lachlann said.
"Which means group size has basically been halved, resulting in the need to run twice as many courses compared with previous years."
He said mental health was a priority of the service and while a number of members requested some down-time following the fires, he didn't believe any had left as a result of being "traumatised".
Also making the news:
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
