CFA wants women

Benalla CFA is asking more women to volunteer to help in a range of areas from frontline fire fighting to administration.

The CFA plans to hold an open day showcasing the work done by female members with demonstrations and key-note speakers discussing how they juggle work and volunteering.

Benalla CFA community safety co-ordinator Phil Rees said at present men make up around 80 per cent of volunteers and that is something they would like to change.

‘‘We have some great female captains who are very inspiring,’’ Mr Rees said.

‘‘But what we’re trying to do is to get more women involved, particularly if they have some free time to help out.

‘‘And it’s not just fire fighters we are looking for, there’s plenty of other roles available that don’t involve being on the back of the truck.

‘‘We’ve got some blokes who don’t want to be in the back of the truck.

‘‘So we’ve got plenty of other jobs, it’s not just about what we call putting the wet stuff on the red stuff.

‘‘There’s other roles to do, and we need people to do them.

‘‘There should be no barriers to women getting involved, it doesn’t even rely on physical condition.

‘‘And I think some women might feel that they don’t want to climb up and down the steps on the fire truck or walk a heavy hose up a hill. But there are other options available.’’

The CFA has a tentative date and time for the open day, November 25 from 10 am to 2 pm and hopes to hold the event at the botanical gardens.

Full details do need to be confirmed so keep an eye out in the Ensign for the final date, time and location.

If anyone, male or female, wants to volunteer to be part of the CFA please visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ volunteer-careers/ volunteers