Community
16 July, 2026
Like family
A VOLUNTEER who joined while eight months pregnant and a 1st Lieutenant who is approaching 50 years of service are among the members of the Terang Urban Fire Brigade hoping to welcome new talent to the ranks.
The brigade has put out a call for anyone interested in joining the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to come along to the Terang CFA Fire Station at 8 Swanston Street between 10am-12noon on a Sunday to meet members and learn more.
Among the current members wanting to expand the ranks at the station is 1st Lieutenant Peter Blain, who has been a volunteer member of the CFA for almost 50 years.
“We’ve got a lot of older members, so we need new members so some of the older ones can step back,” he said.
“Daytime responders are our biggest need because everyone is working, and you’re not always going to be able to get everyone to leave work, but it is vital we have enough to get a truck out the door.”
Mr Blain said the strengthening of the El Nino weather pattern, which indicates drier than average conditions over the summer, further highlighted the importance of having sufficient operational capacity.
“It’s very important to have ample members heading into a tough summer,” he said.
“Back in January we were up in Skipton, and probably a fortnight later we were down at Gellibrand.
“When the Skipton one was going we had another fire out at Glenormiston, so if we get other members then we can get all three vehicles out.”
Terang Urban Fire Brigade secretary Rose Finlayson said the January bushfires highlighted the difference a few new members at each brigade could have, significantly boosting the turnout capabilities region wide.
With members responding to fires in Skipton and Glenormiston, members were limited in what assistance could be offered further afield.
“When both fires were going we also had a truck up at Skipton so we had no way of getting down there to Gellibrand,” Ms Finlayson said.
“That’s why we want to have more feet on the ground when fires do happen.
“It’s something we need because it is something needed everywhere.”
Having adequate numbers to respond to a wide range of emergency situations is not the only thing Ms Finlayson and Mr Blain agree on – both believe joining the CFA has been a rewarding experience.
Ms Finlayson said she had joined the CFA just two and a half years ago while pregnant with her son, but between volunteering and parenthood had earned the respect of her peers to be named secretary.
But more so than a place to give back, Ms Finlayson said she found what became an extended family.
“Every Sunday I am here with my partner Josh, and our toddler Charlie, and he just loves it here,” she said.
“He sits in the trucks and bosses everyone around.
“It’s literally just like having another family.
“There are jobs for people if they don’t want to be active out on the fire ground and the things you learn aren’t just CFA-based – the training works out further in your life and helps you everywhere.”
For more information on becoming a CFA volunteer visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au or head along to the Terang CFA Fire Station on a Sunday between 10am and 12noon.
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