Cranbourne CFA first lieutenant Peter Collins and officer in charge John Francis are pleased to announce the introduction of 24hour firefighters to the station.By Alison Noonan
CRANBOURNE CFA is now a 24hour manned station.
The brigade introduced roundtheclock crew on Friday, paving the way for a new era of firefighting in the area.
The station had been sustained by volunteer firefighters since its establishment in 1940 until October last year, when career firefighters were introduced to support the volunteers.
Station officer in charge John Francis said the decision to bring in full time staff was made after the realisation that the work load had become too heavy for volunteers, who were often called out to jobs on top of their full time work or other occupations.
“Our committed and selfless band of 45 volunteers have been called out to about 470 jobs each year more than one a day.
“We needed to do something to take the pressure off the volunteers.
“Initially career firefighters were staffing the station from 7.30am to 7pm each day, in order to provide backup to the volunteers.
“Now, to continue to provide the best possible fire protection and emergency management services to Cranbourne and surrounding areas, CFA has introduced a 10/14 roster ensuring firefighters will be at the station and ready to respond to any emergency 24 hours a day,” he said.
Mr Francis said the change would enhance the level of service the CFA could provide to the community, with crew now able to boast a 90second turnout as opposed to the former time of four minutes.
“That two and a half minutes could make a big difference,” he said.
Mr Francis said the new roster meant that career firefighters would work 10 hours on dayshift and 14 hours on nightshift, servicing Cranbourne as well as supporting brigades in the surrounding areas of Narre Warren South, Clyde, Hampton Park, Skye and Devon Meadows.
“The new integration means we are 100 per cent sure of making everyone a member of Cranbourne CFA. We are all one unit and here for one purpose, which is to serve the community,” he said.
Former brigade captain Peter Collins, who will now step down to first lieutenant after five years as captain, said the change was all part of the progression of the Cranbourne CFA.
“It is a big change moving down but it has to be done for us to move into the 21st century.
“As first lieutenant I am still a senior officer and will still have as much involvement with the brigade as before. “We now share the responsibility on the fire ground,” he said.
