Childers Fire Station open day on Saturday

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Childers Fire Station open day to learn more about Queensland Rural Fire Service
The Childers Fire Station will hold its first open day on Saturday, giving the community a chance to see firsthand how the emergency service works.

Childers Fire Station will hold its first open day on Saturday, giving the community a chance to see first hand how the Queensland Rural Fire Service works.

The community is invited to go along and meet the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services auxiliary and rural firefighters from 10am to 2pm.

Childers Fire Station opening in 2018. Mayor Jack Dempsey, OIC Childers Station Capt. Martin Bettridge and disaster management officer Matt Dyer
Childers Fire Station opening in 2018. Mayor Jack Dempsey, OIC Childers Station Capt. Martin Bettridge and disaster management officer Matt Dyer.

There will be fire trucks on display, a chance to tour through the station, and road crash rescue demonstrations along with entertainment for the children including a jumping castle, sausage sizzle and more.

The $3.7 million facility opened its doors last year and offers a vital community service to the Bundaberg Region.

Childers Rural Fire Brigade member Sandra Webb joined the brigade after she heard member numbers were low around the time of fires at Woodgate.

“After all the fires at Woodgate I was speaking to the First Officer who said the numbers were quite low and sometimes they ever struggle to send out a truck,” Sandra said.

“I joined with my daughter Riley and now I saw to people ‘see they ever take old ladies like me’.”

Volunteers always needed at Childers Fire Brigade

Sandra said anyone in the community could join the Queensland Rural Fire Service, either as a support member or an active fire fighter.

“Since the Woodgate fires there has been an increase in members, but we always need more,” she said.

“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would ever become a fire fighter and now I am one.

“I did question whether I would be able to and thought I’d be silly if I did – but now I test myself and really enjoy it.”

Sandra said the open day would give those curious or apprehensive about joining the rural fire service a chance to find out more information before committing.

“I always just need to be doing something but never ever thought it would be fighting fires,” she said.

“You just never really know and the volunteer service is always in need of new members.”

Rural Fire Service area director Bruce Thompson is also encouraging people in the community to become involved in the rural service and said the open day would be the perfect opportunity for them to do so.

“We have both auxiliary and rural fire services working together – really well actually,” he said.

“The open day should hopefully have a lot of people attend to find out more.”

Anyone wanting to know more about Childers Rural Fire Brigade can phone First Officer Jeff Maekye on 0409 392 141.

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