Winners of the CFA 2021 photo competition

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2021 CFA Photo Competition winners

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First place: Deb Azzopardi Second place: Steve Womersley Third place: Kyle Power

A CFA volunteer who snapped a quick pic while attending a planned burn has won the annual National Volunteer Week Photo Competition. The image shows the controlled flames in long grass at Mernda, while volunteers can be seen in the back of the fire truck via the vehicle’s rear vision mirror. Epping Fire Brigade volunteer Deb Azzopardi said she took the image on her phone during a quiet moment of the burn. “The fire had been lit and while we were waiting for further instructions, I saw the crew on the back and thought it looked amazing, so I grabbed the mobile and took a couple of photos,” Deb said. “I think it really captures the anticipation of the moment.” After receiving submissions from across the state, the photos were marked against a variety of criteria, and judged to best represent the CFA values of safety, teamwork, adaptable, integrity and respect. Chewton Fire Brigade volunteer Steve Womersley was the runner-up, with a photo of fellow brigade members amid the smoke. “It’s a photo of my mate Mouse (Barry Mounsey) who’s always got a keen eye for a dangerous tree,” Steve said. “A fire had broken out in the scrub outside Lexton and we’d been called there the following day to help with blacking out. “The light was lovely and we were in a position where we weren’t too pressured so I had the opportunity to step back and take a couple of good shots.” CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan congratulated everyone who submitted stunning images. “These photos are not only visually spectacular, but also capture the essence of CFA volunteers,” Jason said.