Cranbourne leading firefighter Jim Marshall and fire officer Ian Glass are rapt that Cranbourne is getting five new permanent firefighters to help out in the growing area.
By Sarah Schwager
CRANBOURNE Fire Brigade is to get five new permanent firefighters within the next few weeks.
The new career firefighters will add to the 10 permanent staff already stationed at Cranbourne.
Cranbourne Fire Brigade operations officer John Murtagh said this meant that Cranbourne and its neighbouring communities would be protected at any time of the day, seven days a week by a crew of three permanent and 30 trained volunteer firefighters.
Mr Murtagh said due to the increase in population around Cranbourne, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) was receiving more and more emergency calls.
He said without extra firefighters, the brigade struggled to meet the demand.
Since intense bushfires raged over summer, locals have been quick to put their hand up for the lifesaving job, helping relieve pressure from the hardworking volunteers.
“All the new firefighters underwent an intense interview to be selected for the position,” Mr Murtagh said.
“More than three times the amount of applications for the allocated positions were received from permanent firefighters across the state, indicating that Cranbourne is a sought-after area to work.”
Mr Murtagh said all of the new firefighters were looking forward to starting their duties and serving Cranbourne and the surrounding communities.
He said to cope with the high demand for emergency services, the CFA was also trying to be proactive in its fire safety and awareness communications to the public.
