MILLICENT’S Country Fire Service (CFS) is inviting community members to attend its open day on March 25.
The day will give locals the opportunity to find out what CFS volunteers do and give them a better understanding on how the dedicated group provides 24 hour a day, seven day a week emergency services at no cost.
There are currently over 30 members volunteering with the Millicent CFS and three fire trucks to the value of more than $1m.
Members volunteer under the guidance of a management group consisting of a captain, five lieutenants and four senior firefighters and each have a pager which is activated when there is a need to attend an incident.
Incidents range from rural and structure fires to road crash rescue and hazardous material responses.
In addition the CFS also assists the South Australian Ambulance Service when necessary.
All emergency service calls for assistance are made via 000 and are directed to an Adelaide-based call receipt and dispatch centre.
The centre uses a computer aided system to record the incident and automatically initiate the pager response for the closest emergency resource.
“Despite what people think, there is no compensation for volunteers for the time they spend on the job,” Millicent CFS captain Phil Richards said.
“It may be they spend an hour or two at a road crash or literally a day or more at a rural fire.
“Volunteers pay the ESL as all other citizens do.”
Mr Richards said despite no financial compensation for their time, members of the Millicent brigade build friendships, gain additional skills and experience the satisfaction of serving others in quite often highly stressful situations.
“The incidents often involve loss of property or physical injury and occasionally loss of life,” Mr Richards said.
“There is an indescribable sense of focus and commitment when it comes to saving a human life.
“It might even be considered a privilege that many never get to experience.”
Each year the Millicent brigade attends around 120 incidents and train for 2.5 hours a week.
This equates to around 5000 volunteering hours each year.
“The personal growth and skills gained through the Millicent CFS has served many over the past 40 years,” Mr Richards said.
“Younger people who have joined have found the learning gained from operating in high risk, life critical situations has allowed them to develop a confidence that flows directly onto all other aspects of their lives.
“A certain perspective forms as to what really matters.”
The open day will be held at the Millicent fire station on Academy Drive from 10am to 2pm.
