When the pager goes off: A day in the life of a CFA volunteer

YOUR local community relies on local community people to protect you from fires, assist with rescues and attend motor vehicle accidents as well as providing non-operational support to your brigades.

The role of a volunteer with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) can be very rewarding and the time commitment can be as little or as much as you would like to contribute, as long as you meet the minimum requirements of CFA and your brigade.

Let’s have a look at a day in the life of a CFA member.

Operational Firefighters

A day in the life of a CFA volunteer responding to a fire is fast paced, demanding, and filled with moments of intense teamwork and focus. Here’s an overview of what such a day might look like.

Many CFA volunteers have regular jobs, so they might be at work. In the event of a fire, volunteers will receive a pager alert or message via the Supplementary Alerting Service (SAS).

This could be anything from a grass fire to a large-scale bushfire, motor vehicle accident, house fire or rescue and the team must be ready to move at a moment’s notice. The fire station will quickly fill with the sounds of sirens and voices as volunteers quickly gear up.

Responding to a Call:

Once they arrive at the scene, there’s little time to waste. Volunteers assess the fire or incident and surrounding area, determine if there are any immediate threats to life or property, and begin…

Team Coordination:

Communication is key. Volunteers work closely with each other, other firefighting teams, and emergency services. They might operate in shifts, rotating duties like manning hoses, providing support to those on the front lines, preparing additional equipment, traffic control..

Ongoing Operations:

As the sun sets, the firefight may continue, especially if the conditions are difficult (ie. high winds or large areas affected). CFA volunteers might need to clear out trees (this is done by specialist trained tree assessors and fellers, often from Forest Fire Management Victoria) or…

Cleanup and Reporting:

After the fire is contained, the crew might assist in mopping up residual embers or checking for hidden flames. They also prepare reports to ensure that all actions are documented, which is essential for safety audits and future operational planning.

Returning to Station:

If the fire is under control, volunteers head back to the station. They ensure the equipment is cleaned, refuelled, and checked before storing it away. Volunteers return to their regular lives, but some..

Reflection and Bonding:

After a long day, some might take time to debrief with the team. Whether it’s sharing what went well or discussing what could be improved, this is a crucial part of the process. Volunteers also..

Jude McGill, Volunteer Sustainability Northeast Region, CFA