Volunteers offer a range of different skill sets, but have one common goal - to provide support to community members that may find themselves in a position where they are unable to support themselves.
In honour of National Volunteers Week, Southern Riverina News chatted to long-term RFS volunteer firefighter, RFS Federation Zone Group Captain Greyd’n Davis.
Mr Davis has been a member of the Rural Fire Service since 1982 and became involved with Berrigan RFS in 2000.
Growing up on a farm, Mr Davis knew very early on that when it came to an emergency it was all hands on deck in the community.
Mr Davis moved quickly up the ranks in the RFS to brigade captain and then zone captain, where he overlooks 14 brigades and 900 volunteer firefighters.
Like many volunteers he works full-time as a farmer and does his volunteer work around that, which now due to his rank is like another full-time job.
“I’m often asked, why do you do it and the answer is simple, we need to for our communities,” said Mr Davis.
“At the end of the day, volunteers help out and fill in the gaps where the community can’t afford.
“It gives people who are involved satisfaction that they are protecting themselves and their neighbour, which is what Australia was built on, getting in there and helping out a mate.”
Mr Davis said many in the community think the same way, which keep the wheels rolling over.
“There are so many people and organisations that chip into the community,” he said.
“The SES, VRA, Red Cross, St John’s, these are all incredible organisations that help when people have their lives turned upside down.
“If there’s a house fire and someone loses everything, the Red Cross will step in and offer food, clothes and help with anything they may need.
“You don’t realise how important these volunteer organisations are until you witness these situations first-hand.”
While the RFS have reasonably good numbers in volunteers, Mr Davis said they are always looking for more.
“A lot of our volunteers are older, so we are really trying to get some younger ones coming through, to be the next generation of volunteers,” said Mr Davis.
“It’s always a bit of a pressing issue to keep the retention of volunteers.
“Many hands make light work, so we encourage anyone to become a volunteer.”
Mr Davis said while being a volunteer firefighter does take a certain level of commitment, they are always considerate of the fact that you are a volunteer.
“You have got to have your life, pay the bills and put family first,” he said.
“We understand that and it is never an expectation, just appreciated.”
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