Joining the Brigade

Helensburgh Bush Fire Brigade is always interested in welcoming new members. Joining the RFS involves filling out some paperwork, submitting to background check, and undertaking an interview at the district fire control office.

Once accepted by the Service, you begin basic training. For firefighting personnel, this involves learning about fire behaviour, the equipment we carry, methods of firefighting, safety, and teamwork. This course takes around a month to complete, however courses are only run a few times a year. In the meantime, though, you can come to the brigade during training and maintenance days and meet other brigade members andstart getting familiar with the equipment and maintenance procedures.

There are no minimum standards of fitness or maximum age limits to joining the brigade, and there are plenty of things that need doing other than firefighting. There is always administration work that needs doing, and during extended firefighting campaigns "welfare" (catering and similar logistics) is crucial to a successful outcome.

If you might be interested in joining the brigade, feel free to come by the station (on the corner of Parkes and Collins streets, Helensburgh) any Saturday from around 12 midday.