By Bronwyn Hastings

Emergency services volunteers provide support to their communities in times of need – which is rarely confined to short shifts during daylight hours.

Fires, floods and other weather and emergency events bring a force of specifically trained volunteers out, away from their jobs, families and lives, requiring not just an ability to apply specific skills and training, but an ability to balance their lives and maintain their wellbeing. 

Dimboola Urban Fire Brigade immediate ex-captain and lieutenant Ash Wallace said his brigade had a variety of volunteers, of all ages and stages, who were able to offer different levels of commitment.

“We are flexible in what we expect from our volunteers, because some people have the capacity to jump in boots and all, while others can offer smaller amounts of time, and this can change at any time,” he said.

“Being a smaller brigade, we know our crew, and we can respond to cues when people are struggling and starting to hit the wall, so you bring in the resources you need to balance that, whether it’s at a job or on a more personal level.

“We have a hierarchy of a captain and lieutenants, and we delegate and share the load when we need to.”

Mr Wallace said Dimboola’s brigade had a strong social aspect, which helped to balance the demands of incidents.

“We have always tried to be a fairly social group,” he said.

“I have also found that CFA itself contributes to work/life balance; it gives people an outlet from their day-to-day jobs, and a sense of purpose, as well as being a social outlet.”

CFA community engagement co-ordinator Jenny McGennisken said CFA had a range of free, 24-hour support services available to volunteers, staff and members of their families.

“It’s important CFA personnel and their families manage their mental health in the same way they manage their physical health,” she said.

“Our volunteers, staff and their family members have access to counsellors for personal and CFA-related issues, as well as our assistance, peer support and chaplaincy programs.”

Ms McGennisken said the confidential services also included personal support in nutrition, sleep health, mindfulness, grief and loss, exercise, and alcohol and drugs.

“There are many factors that can influence our personnels’ mental health, from attending traumatic or stressful incidents, having conflict with others, and general life stressors,” she said.

“Our support services are in place to ensure our members can look out for their own mental health, and that of their peers and families.”

CFA staff, volunteers and their families can find more information on support services on the CFA website.

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