Kerry in charge at Fish Creek CFA

WHEN you think up an image of a firefighter in a small rural town, the odds are you’re considering a man.

However, July 1, 2019 saw a milestone reached by the Country Fire Authority’s Fish Creek and District Fire Brigade when Kerry Senior was elected as the first woman Captain in the brigade’s 75-year history.

Kerry has been an active volunteer firefighter in the Fish Creek brigade for 20 years and during that time has taken on many roles such as Lieutenant, Training Officer, Truck Driver, Community Safety Coordinator, Crew Leader and Specialist Road Rescue Operator.

Currently Fish Creek has four female operational firefighters ranging in age from 20 to 70.

“I think it’s fantastic that women are involved in operational roles within the CFA,” Kerry said.

“Although some jobs can be more physically demanding than others, the members at Fish Creek work well together to get the job done,” she said.

“In a CFA brigade there really is a job for everyone, and it’s quite understandable that not everyone wants to be at the end of a fire hose.

“However, there are many places that need to be filled for each call-out, such as truck drivers, radio operators, ‘gofers’, community educators, traffic controllers, and even providing comfort to those involved in an incident,” Kerry said.

“No matter what your age or gender I encourage you to join our team as a volunteer at Fish Creek and District CFA.”

Kerry joined the CFA at the age of 16 to be part of a local community group as she was not so much into sport.

“I found the camaraderie of the close-knit team very accepting,” she said

“And, over the years since, the technical, communication and problem-solving skills I’ve gained have helped me in my daily life as well as a firefighter in the brigade.

“It’s very rewarding being able to help my local community in their time of need,” Kerry said.

“I’m now looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that my new leadership role as Captain of the Fish Creek and District CFA will bring!”

If you would like to enquire about joining the Fish Creek and District CFA as a volunteer come along to the brigade’s weekly training night, held every Thursday, from 8pm at the Fish Creek Fire Station in Falls Road or visit their Facebook page.

To find your local CFA brigade visit the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Single Car Accident

Units from Fish Creek and District and Foster Country Fire Authority Brigades attended a single car accident at Fish Creek on Tuesday July 17, 2019.

Fish Creek and District CFA Captain Kerry Senior said the accident occurred when the driver of a car travelling south along Waratah Road near the intersection of Stewarts Road apparently lost control of the vehicle after being startled by a flock of birds.

The vehicle appeared to have struck an embankment and ended up lying on its side.

Ms Senior said the driver managed to get out of the car by the time emergency services arrived and was later conveyed by ambulance to the South Gippsland Hospital in Foster for observation and treatment.

The Fish Creek and District CFA’s road accident and rescue vehicle and brigade members along with the Foster CFA’s tanker and five crew members attended the scene.

Gas smell mystery

A mysterious gas smell at Sandy Point prompted Country Fire Authority brigades from Fish Creek and District, Foster and Toora to turn out on Thursday afternoon July 18, 2019.

Fish Creek and District CFA Captain Kerry Senior said two units from Fish Creek and two units with six members from Foster CFA, along with the Toora CFA’s gas detector, arrived at a location near a rural property in Sandy Point Road after the alarm was raised.Ms Senior said the incident turned out to be not as serious as first thought as the smell appeared to be coming from a dead animal and not from a leaking household or industrial gas cylinder.

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