Displays when Total Fire Ban in force
With all of the recent media coverage on the future of CFA volunteers, we were amazed at some of the misconceptions that were held within the Woodend and surrounding communities.
We were staggered to hear that some people believed that there were permanent paid firefighters at the Woodend Fire Brigade. This is not true. The Brigade is 100% volunteers. The nearest CFA Brigades with any permanent fire fighters are Sunbury, Caroline Springs and Melton.
Further to that people thought that the Captain and Lieutenants were receiving wages. Not true. Not one volunteer in the Woodend Fire Brigade receives or has received any payment of wages for the time they give to their CFA duties.
We also heard that we were reimbursed if we turned out to an incident. Again, not true.
We are all volunteers who do what we do to provide an important service to our community. As do all members of CFA brigades in the Macedon Ranges, and CFA volunteer brigades throughout the state. And, the same applies to SES volunteers.
There are more than 40 operative fire fighters in the Woodend CFA, and we all give up our time, some of it considerable for some members, totally free. There are also many others who volunteer their time and services for various brigade and community work, also totally free. But all very rewarding.
