By CASEY NEILL
NOBLE Park Fire Brigade has welcomed more than 20 new members from multicultural backgrounds in recent weeks.
In a CFA first, the crew has hosted volunteer recruit information sessions for asylum seekers and refugees.
Lieutenant Luke Marchant said the brigade was looking for ways to better communicate with different cultures and started with a warning sign on the station’s front door.
It translated ‘working smoke alarms save lives’ into Vietnamese.
“That sparked a large amount of interest from the Vietnamese community about fire safety,” he said.
“Once that started to gain some legs we started to embark on ways we could accommodate people in the area.”
Mr Marchant got in touch with groups that worked with asylum seekers and refugees and organised information sessions.
“We had three different interpreters relaying information,” he said.
“It was aimed at recruitment, but it was more aimed at awareness.
“If we found people interested in becoming fire fighters, great. But we can help them understand who we are and what we do and how they can assist in a time of crisis.”
About 22 new members have signed up following the sessions.
“They’re still coming in today. It’s growing very, very quickly. For our station it’s a huge boost,” Mr Marchant said.
“The best part is, if you can speak two languages you’re already an asset to us.
“It’s a hectic time when a house is on fire. To have someone who can speak their language, it’s a lot easier to communicate with them.”
First Lieutenant Terence Sanford was last year among four CFA representatives at the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia conference on the Gold Coast, attended by 400 people from across Australia.
The theme was Multiculturalism: Breaking down the Barriers and Mr Sandford learnt a lot from the trip, particularly about the issues migrants faced in their homelands.
The crew has visited Noble Park English Language School to teach classes about calling triple zero, smoke detectors and more.
“I would come in in my full turnout gear with the breathing apparatus on, because it’s very confronting, especially for children,” he said.
“If we come in during a house fire we don’t want them to be scared of us. We want them to know that we’re there to help.”
Southern Metro Region brigade support officer Matt Pond organised and facilitated the recruitment information sessions alongside the Red Cross and AMES.
He’s hoping to expand the project to other brigades including Narre Warren, Hallam, Springvale and Keysborough.
The CFA’s operational training and volunteerism department will provide ongoing assistance to those looking to join the brigades.
Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au for more information about joining the crew and an expression of interest form. Call Mr Marchant at Noble Park Fire Brigade on 9546 6618 for more information.
