Goon CFA sounds alarm

By Elizabeth Lillis
NAR NAR GOON Country Fire Authority is desperate to recruit new volunteer members to join the brigade.
The Nar Nar Goon CFA has just 15 active members in a brigade of 22 volunteers, according to Lieutenant Brett Myers.
Mr Myers said a couple of members have recently left, affecting the brigade’s ability to respond to callouts.
“We are required to have the fire truck out in response to the call within six minutes.
“We are really in need of new members who live in Nar Nar Goon and can get to the station within this time,” he said.
The brigade has responded to the shortage of intown locals by having some members take the fire truck to their workplace and respond to calls from there.
Mr Myers said this meant the officer could go straight to the incident rather than having to return to the Nar Nar Goon Station to collect the fire truck.
He is concerned that a further decline in active members would mean the brigade could not adequately cover the Nar Nar Goon township and would have to rely on Tynong or Pakenham CFA to respond to incidents in the town.
“In the case of a house fire, which could spread quickly, having a local response rather than one from out of the area could save significant time,” he said.
Mr Myers said current members brought different skills to the brigade through careers in farming, teaching, scientific research and business administration.
“We have a great team and there is a real reward in helping out in your local community,” he Myers said.
Basic training is given to new recruits before they are sent out to a fire and they also receive ongoing training.
Nar Nar Goon CFA members train on Monday nights and are rostered on Sundays once a month to carry out equipment checks and duties.
Officers go on call for incidents when they are available.
Mr Myers said training and involvement with the brigade also benefited volunteers by improving employment prospects and teamwork skills.
“I would be happy to have a chat to anyone who may be interested in learning more, with no obligation,” he said.
Anyone interested joining the Nar Nar Goon CFA can contact Mr Myers on 0417 015 225 or visit the CFA Web site at www.cfa.vic.gov.au