How to Join

The Riddells Creek Fire Brigade always encourage and welcome new members to the organisation. The diverse array of people within the brigade include tradesmen, students, small business owners, shift workers, white collar workers, technicians and stay - at - home mothers and fathers. There is a place in the brigade for people from all walks of life.

Minimum Skills Program

To become an active fire-fighter, there are some minimum basic fire-fighting skills you need to learn before you can begin responding to emergencies. These basic skills are what’s referred to as the “Minimum Skills” program and the training for this takes place here at the Riddells Creek Fire Station and typically involves 1 night of training a week for 3 months. Such skills covered in the training include an understanding of:

• Wildfire Behaviour
• Wildfire Suppression strategies and tactics.
• Map Reading
• Communications and radio operation
• Personal Protection measures

After completing the minimum training, as a new recruit you will be issued with a pager and your protective uniform. Then you’ll be ready to begin attending emergency calls.

Additional Training

After completing your minimum training, you’ll then have the opportunity to participate in other training courses to develop other skills such as;

• Driving vehicles and attaining Medium Rigid Truck license
• First Aid
• Leadership and management
• Breathing apparatus

Non-Fire Fighting Roles

However, fire fighting isn’t for all of us! If you think you’re one of these people then don’t worry, there are many other ways you can support the local fire brigade that doesn’t involve fighting fires. Such roles include…

• Brigade admin and book-keeping
• Community education
• Fundraising
• Training co-ordination
• Catering for large incidents

How to Join

If you are considering becoming a member of the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade we suggest you come down on Sunday mornings from 10am onwards and introduce yourself to the team and begin the training process.

Otherwise you can contact the brigade Acting Training Manager Martin Leitch on 0400-695-088 for further information or visit the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au