Fiery response needed

LONGREACH’S auxiliary firefighters were tested on Monday night when they got word that the Girl Guides Hut in Stilt Street was ablaze.

Two people were trapped and with a fire burning through the small building, aided by a gusty wind, the firefighters had to respond quickly and professionally to ensure a successful rescue.

The brigade’s two fire trucks quickly headed toward Silt Street, onboard were 11 firefighters, Captain Alan Dickson and Lieutenant Randall Ravenscroft.

Under the command of firefighter John Palmer, the crews quickly focused their attention on finding and tending to the people that still remained in the building.

Although this scenario was a training exercise that used iron dummies and an imaginary fire, Captain Dickson said it was an invaluable tool to maintain his crew’s skills.

"Mondays are our training nights where we either carry out exercises like this in the field or in-house training."

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is currently on the hunt for more auxiliary firefighters to take up vacant positions in its Longreach, Barcaldine, Alpha and Winton stations.

Captain Dickson believes, like a lot of services in the Central West, the QFRS is losing people to the booming mining industry.

"We have never really struggled to fill positions in Longreach before.
"But with two people moving on, and another two restricted to light duties, we’ve got a few vacant spots that need to be filled.
"I would encourage any young person in town to think about joining up.
"There are just so many invaluable skills that you can pick up through being a firefighter."

Back in the day, each town had their own fire board that organised and oversaw the local brigade.

These days the Queensland Government is at the helm ensuring that all firefighters, volunteer or not, are trained to specific standards.

"There is plenty of training involved," Lieutenant and firefighter trainer Randall Ravenscroft said.

"You get your first aid, advanced CPR, as well as more specific skills linked to fire and rescue, like breathing apparatus, hazardous chemicals and pump operations."

Alongside the hard work and dedication, the Longreach crew displays a great deal of camaraderie and pride that comes hand-in-hand with being a firefighter.

"You are putting something back into the community," Mr Ravenscroft said. "You don’t get paid much but you are helping out your local patch.

"I would like to think that I’m doing something good."

More information about becoming a firefighter is available from the Longreach area office on 4658 1005.