THE WRETCHED bushfires which tore through the North Coast have led to a surge of interest by local people in joining the Rural Fire Service (RFS).
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Superintendent Lachlann Ison said the Lower North Coast Zone - which includes the Macleay and Nambucca valleys - had seen scores express an interest in signing on.
"There's definitely been a surge," Supt Ison told the Argus.
"We've had close to 100 new applications which is more than I've seen before (in the seven-and-a-half years he's been with Lower North Coast).
"And the interest has been across all membership types - catering, communications, aviation etc."
Supt Ison said two brigades in particular - North Macksville and Utungun in the Nambucca Valley - were awash with new recruits. Catering was also a preferred path for many of the newbies, as opposed to front-line firefighters ('operational').
"If a good number of the new members elect to stay for an extended time this will hopefully lead to generational change for many of the brigades," he said.
The influx of recruits will also create some welcomed challenges for the service, as well as at brigade level.
Initial training at the Bush Firefighter level will be undertaken in-brigade, and once the new people are ready for practical examination, the service will equip them with the appropriate personal protective clothing.
Anyone interested in joining their local brigade should visit https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/
Meanwhile, the Bushfire Danger Period in the Lower North Coast Zone is likely to end at midnight on Saturday.
Until then, permits are required (contact your local brigade).
Even when the Bushfire Danger Period (BFDP) is at an end, people are still required to contact their immediate neighbours and the RFS 24 hours before burning via the 24/7 notification line on 6626-6860.
"The current BFDP has been in place since August 1 reflecting a very dry year," Supt Ison said.
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