A new recruitment effort is hoping to encourage people to give back to their community by becoming retained firefighters.
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The effort, focused on the Fire and Rescue NSW service operating in Wellington, is hoping to work with employers in order to free up their employees to become fully accredited firefighters.
Wellington Brigade Captain Mark Moroney says the training available as part of the vocation is second to none.
"When you join an organisation such as this, and you're really interested in doing it, you're trained and you receive a whole range of skills that you won't get anywhere else," Captain Moroney said.
"Not only do you get those skills, but you get to apply them to help people who are in a time of need, there's a huge sense of satisfaction and it's very rewarding work."
The recruitment drive is also hoping to appeal to employers in the region, encouraging them to free up time for their employees to take on the responsibilities of a retained firefighter in return for their skills training that the new role will allow them to bring back to their workplace.
"We hope to get the support of employers in the town who may help release their employees from their obligations when we have to attend an incident," Captain Moroney said.
Daytime availability is one of the primary areas of concern for the station at the moment, and they're hoping that providing employers with skilled employees will encourage them to free up retained firefighters hours during the day.
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"There's something in it for them as well; the skills the brigade members develop like first aid, fire safety and heavy vehicle driving qualifications, those can all be shared around and brought back into their own workplace," Captain Moroney said.
"It's certainly not a hard task, it's very achievable, the training on offer is very structured, it's not hard to learn the skills, it definitely does take a commitment, that's what we really have to have; that they want to come and do the training twice a month, we have specialised training as well."
Josh Lang, who's already serving as a retained firefighter in Wellington, says one of the most fulfilling aspects of the role is the community based mind-set it fosters.
"It's been really good, I've been in the community my whole life, getting to give back to people at their lowest point is really good, people don't call 000 for a sore finger, they call it when they need a lot of help," Mr Lang said.
"It's really good, we're a really, really good team here in Wellington, no one slacks off, everyone helps out, it's good to be part of a team that works so well together and is so well respected amongst the community."
"I work in an RSL club so I have a good connection with the community, getting to help them out is great, you get good mates, we're all mates here, and it's good work, it's great."
Anyone interested in applying or finding out more can call 5853 2300 or e-mail rw1admin@fire.nsw.gov.au.