For teenagers who are wanting to get involved in volunteering or assisting put out fires, the Yarrawonga CFA has just been granted permission to start a new junior brigade for 11- to 15-year-old boys and girls.
An information evening will be held at the Yarrawonga CFA on Wednesday, November 27 at 6pm for parents and families to attend and find out more information about what the junior brigade will entail from Brigade Junior Leaders Michael Coldham and Lieutenant Renee Parkes.
The biggest thing to note for parents is that junior members DO NOT respond to emergencies, however, activities are usually conducted at the local fire station, but may also involve excursions, camps and championship competition activities.
All programs work to build the skills of junior members in five key areas including:
•Knowledge of CFA history and competition
•Understanding volunteering and community service
•Emergency response skills
•Teamwork and leadership skills
•Familiarisation with all hazard types.
CFA Yarrawonga Secretary, Treasurer, Junior Leader Michael Coldham said that the CFA hope that as a Junior Firefighter, local juniors will be doing lots of cool things.
“Juniors will get their own cool uniform and each junior brigade is delivered by a team of junior leaders; members of the brigade who are 18 years plus, who have taken on the responsibility for leading the juniors,” Mr Coldham said.
“They will be learning about firefighting operational skills and how to use the equipment and a whole range of other skills and knowledge.
“We expect that we will develop a junior running competition team for statewide events in the future.
“We see our juniors as the future for our brigade and something special.”
To find out more about the junior CFA brigade, attend the Yarrawonga CFA Brigade at 65 Woods Road on Wednesday, November 27 from 6pm or contact Mr Coldham on 0419 500 223.