Fire and Rescue NSW Taree is on the look out for retained firefighters to join the ranks.
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Several vacancies have opened up at the station so community driven people are urged to apply.
Tayla Battle joined the team six months ago after going through the application process last year.
She had to pass rigorous exams and practical training before being posted to her home station.
“It was a lot of hard work, blood, sweat, tears and stress but it was worth it,” Tayla said.
“The training at Armidale was excellent.”
In her short time as a retained firefighter Tayla has attended call outs, fire safety checks, open days, training, motor vehicle accidents, hazmat incidents, community education and rescues.
Taree Fire Station Commander Peter Willard said members of Fire and Rescue NSW are dedicated to assist with any situation.
“As our motto says ‘we are prepared for anything and we protect the irreplaceable’,” Commander Willard said.
The Taree crew attends to approximately 500 fires a year which highlights the need to have a full team.
Retained firefighters are trained in a range of skills such as firefighting, first aid, rescue, workplace safety, heavy-vehicle operations, emergency management as well as the safe use of specialised tools such as chainsaws.
It was a lot of hard work, blood, sweat, tears and stress but it was worth it.
- Tayla Battle, retained firefighter
They respond to a wide variety of emergency incidents including building fires, grass and bushfires, chemical hazards, motor vehicle accidents and assist with recovery from natural disasters such as storms and floods.
Retained firefighters play a key role in community such as promoting fire safety and prevention activities, installing smoke alarms for the elderly as well as fire education for children and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
They need to be available for duty during the day, in particular people who have daytime availability Monday through Friday.
Successful applicants would therefore need their main employer to be willing to release them for call outs at short notice.
Candidates are required to reside and/or work within a reasonable distance from the station to ensure an immediate response to emergencies and hold a current NSW driver’s licence (a minimum of NSW P1) or a learner motorcycle licence.
These positions are paid and new members will be mentored by senior staff.
For updates, check out the Fire and Rescue NSW Taree Facebook page.
Online applications close September 16.
For inquiries, contact Taree Fire Station on 6551 5246.
