Firefighters are always on the ball

While the majority of the public is not thinking about bushfires at this time of year, the potential hazard is never far from the minds of a select group.

The Eaton-Australind Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service — which celebrated 40 years of serving the community last year — remains on the ball as they prepare for any type of emergency.

Capt. Matt Stoltenbarg said while bushfires did drop off at this time of year, other things like car crashes picked up.

“The number of incidents doesn’t change, only the type,” he said.

“We don’t just fight bushfires, we’re trained in structural firefighting, alarm call outs, hazard calls and crashes.”

Capt. Stoltenbarg said chimney fires were more likely at this time of year — two so far this season — compared to bushfires.

As the unit continues to be on call throughout the year, the crew holds regular training.

“We train twice a month and every Sunday morning,” Capt. Stoltenbarg said.

The Eaton-Australind Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service now has 30 members and Capt. Stoltenbarg said they were always looking for more.

“We need to try and get young guys who will stay with the unit their whole adult life,” he said.

One such crew member is Allan Dye, who has been with the unit since it started 41 years ago.

“It has changed over the years, for the better,” he said.

“When I started, whatever you turned up in was what you fought fires in — now we have uniforms.”

For more information about the Eaton-Australind Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, leave a message at 9725 2361.