YOUTH
New Juniors sign up across the state STORY BY JEN CLEMENT
The launch of new Juniors recruitment material earlier in 2021 has bolstered recruitment across the state. Despite a tough 12 months of COVID-19 restrictions, many Junior brigades are now getting back into things and recruitment campaigns are proving successful.
In addition to the traditional structure of captain and two lieutenants, Narre Warren Juniors have mirrored the structure of the senior brigade and have now been divided into two platoons, led by a lieutenant, to introduce the Juniors to the way the senior brigade works.
DCO Operational Performance and Capability Peter O’Keefe urged young people to think about joining CFA.
Narre Warren brigade Captain Travis Carter is impressed when he sees the Juniors training on Wednesday evenings.
“It gives them a chance to learn leadership skills, appreciate the value of teamwork and be part of an organisation that’s part of the community,” Peter said. “I’d encourage any young person to join CFA, whether it’s to run in competitions or perhaps end up becoming the brigade captain in the future. It’s a great opportunity to build the future.”
“My hope is that not only will they gain great skills and build friendships in the program, but they will also come through and become senior members when they are old enough,” Travis said. “Narre Warren’s Junior program has developed some of our newest firefighters in Adam Williams and Bodie Hardy, who both recently began turning out with the brigade as seniors.”
Here are some fantastic recent success stories.
Modewarre Junior Brigade
Narre Warren Junior Brigade
Narre Warren members discovered that local families were looking for something meaningful and community-minded to get involved in, so they launched a Facebook campaign to recruit Junior members. “This resulted in an influx of new Juniors into our program, showing how much our community holds the Narre Warren Fire Brigade in the highest esteem and trusts us to mentor their children through our program,” Junior Coordinator Paul Harms said.
A popular recruitment method is an open day, but for Modewarre brigade it was a Meet Your Neighbour Day. Organised by the Moriac Community Network, the event was designed at help the local community get to know each other better, find out what services are available and what organisations you can join. Modewarre brigade members rose to the challenge, and in among jumping castles, face painting, scouting activities and lots of food was the brigade tanker.
The Juniors are keen to learn all aspects of firefighting techniques used by the senior brigade, but the Junior leaders at Narre Warren complement this by teaching skills in leadership, friendship and teamwork. As one parent put it, “Our daughter loves her time at Narre Warren brigade, learning and developing new skills that can contribute not only to her own development but also the wider community. She has found the group to be inclusive and inviting and is something she really looks forward to doing.” Another parent explained, “Junior CFA has been fantastic for our son. Everyone was so kind and friendly right from the start. He just felt like he fitted right in, which has given him a big confidence boost. He has finally found one thing that he’s passionate about. You can tell by the way his face lights up whenever he talks about the Junior CFA.”
“We set up hoses and had over 40 children shooting water at targets, and each one who had a go received a goody bag provided by the great staff at Geelong Headquarters,” Junior Leader Mark Reeves explained. “It was a fantastic day and a great way for the community to meet the brigade.” Getting out into the community and joining in with existing events or holding your own brigade open day can be a great way to recruit new members. It can also be a good way for locals to learn more about what brigades do for their local community, and for brigades to help people prepare for the fire season.
Gapsted Junior Brigade
To recruit new Juniors, Gapsted brigade members hit the road with their competition trailer, taking it to the local school and running events to show students what Junior members get up to. This has resulted in new Junior members joining the brigade. “Our brigade is an old brigade, a small brigade, and we need the young kids coming through,” Junior Coordinator Craig Hodgetts said. “There are so many skills they can learn but the mateship and camaraderie, just being part of a family, really connects with people.”
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