RESOURCES are stretched to the limit for the Penola Country Fire Service (CFS) following a busy start to the fire danger season.
With the fire danger season only half way through the local brigade has already responded to 44 callouts for this financial year – two more than the 2018/19 total – with more expected.
The demanding start to the bushfire season has resulting in long nights and travel for volunteers with the first call being at Lake Mundi across the border.
According to Penola CFS brigade captain Peter Robinson, the main fire truck has travelled over 1700km since December 20, called to fires in Nangwarry, Bunbury and Keilira.
“We are lacking in resources down here at the moment and we are stretched to our limit which is making this season very difficult,” Mr Robinson said.
“At Nangwarry we took out our rescue truck which is predominantly used for roads.
“It is very rare that we have both trucks out.”
Mr Robinson said although the fire was controlled, they were still stretched for resources at the incident.
“We did not have enough people,” he said.
“We managed to get it under control after three days but we did not have enough resources.”
The brigade captain is now calling for more active volunteers to help deliver the vital service.
“Those who wish to stay in operational support will be more than welcome and it just allows us to receive calls and other on site operations,” he said.
“We do not force anyone to do anything they are not confident or comfortable doing such as getting on the back in the truck or attending car accidents.
“But we are asking for more people to give us more flexibility and resources even if they volunteer in the control room or by making and delivering food and water.”
The Penola brigade meets each Wednesday from 6.30pm with new members invited to attend and discuss options.
