Thanks to a quiet fire season, some of the shire’s firies have been out spending more time with the community they serve.
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The Mogendoura Rural Fire Service Brigade has protected residents northwest of Moruya since the early seventies, but this was their first year fundraising for much-needed equipment.
Brigade captain Paul Hofmann said members had prioritised this year to engage with the community.
“This led to fundraising at the Tuesday SAGE Farmers Markets and the Saturday Moruya Country Markets,” Mr Hofmann said.
The brigade set up a stall, had a yarn with shoppers, and put out a bucket for donations.
They raised enough to buy an electric reel winder, which pulls in heavy hoses.
“Our volunteers are pleased,” Mr Hofman said.
“At the press of a button, the reel does the work during front-line operations.”
Mr Hofman said he was very taken with the generosity of market shoppers, both Eurobodalla Shire residents and visitors.
“It was really quite special, how generous people were,” he said.
Some funds remain to purchase other items off the brigade’s wish-list.
Maybe some new tools for the truck – “ siphons and what not” – or more prosaic items.
“Next on the list is magnifying glasses,” Mr Hofman said.
“A few of our members have asked for them; to assist with map reading.
“Basically, the team is pretty resourceful with what we already have.”
The Mogendoura brigade numbers about 30 members.
Several new crew have joined in the last few years.
“We usually get 10 to 15 roll up to a training night,” Mr Hofman said.
The crew had a relatively quiet fire season, punctuated with some serious emergencies which drew firefighters from throughout the Far South Coast.
“We attended the Dunns Creek and Nerigundah fires,” Mr Hofman said.
The Mogendoura brigade is now preparing for winter back-burning. Mr Hofman said the crew had to wait for ideal conditions.
“That means a few dry weeks in cool conditions,” he said.
“Typically that starts in May.”
Next on the list is magnifying glasses ... few of our members have asked for them; to assist with map reading.
- Paul Hofman, Mogendoura Rural Fire Service brigade, Moruya