Call for summer firefighters

FOREST Fire Management Victoria has started recruiting summer firefighters to be based at Inglewood.

The Loddon is one of 15 bases to have a firefighter boost each year to have teams ready for quick responses to fires. Other locations include Avoca, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Cohuna,

“These fixed-term positions are a fantastic opportunity for people from all walks of life, who are physically fit, to get out in the bush, protect our region from bushfires and help maintain public land,” FFMVic Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Paul Bates, said.

“New recruits will be involved in responding to bushfires, conducting planned burns, looking after recreation areas, pest and weed control, maintaining access to fire trails and roads, and supporting other

Station site talks Tuesday

MEMBERS of Wedderburn Lions Club aged care steering committee will meet representatives of Ambulance Victoria on Tuesday for talks on station site options.

Ambulance Victoria wants to construct a permanent station in the town and has identified Wilson Street land currently set aside for a proposed Lions aged care facility.

Steering committee chair Jude Raftis said Lions had a long association with Ambulance Victoria, having assisted with establishment of the town’s CERT team.

The Wilson Street site is owned by Loddon Shire with the current agreement reserving it for aged care due to expire next year. Ambulance Victoria has also had talks with council.

Bouncing back

be a second line of defence in an emergency.” emergency work to help protect the community and environment.”

Nick said Central Victorian Radio Operators had 20 members in the district.

“The repeater station is one way we can give back to the community,” Nick said.

THE jumping pillow has been saved. A week after the popular Bridgewater Caravan Park activity looked doomed, an insurance company has been found to provide cover. New park lessees Kristy and Warrick Hourigan continued their search after earlier knockbacks by insurance companies and this week said there had been success.

“They can also be called on to support other emergencies like last year’s Victorian floods.

“Many of the forest firefighters deployed to the current Canadian bushfires started their careers as project firefighters.”

FFMVic recruits seasonal project firefighters each year. Roles include general firefighters, fire support officers and rappel crew firefighters. Firefighters are employed full-time from October until April.

“Successful recruits will be fully trained and get the opportunity to work with experienced staff from a range of fire management agencies across the state,” Mr Bates said.

“These are very rewarding roles, where no two days are ever the same.”