Walgett’s Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) recruitment numbers have never been strong, but a recent program has set the blueprint to improve safety in the community, and dispel some myths about joining the team at the same time. 

On 13-14 December, FRNSW teamed up with community elders to deliver a series of home fire safety visits in Walgett, going door to door around town and to neighbouring missions, offering safety advice and assistance where it was needed.

“Historically we haven’t had that relationship. We haven’t had a full strength crew out there for a number of years,” FRNSW West Area Recruitment Coordinator Wade Haines said. 

“We’ve been heavily relying on relief staff to come in from other communities to sit there and stand by the Walgett station because we don’t have many locals there. So we’ve lost that connection with the community,” Mr Haines said. 

Over the two-day period, with help from firefighters from the neighbouring Brewarrina Fire Station, FRNSW crews seized the opportunity of the meet-and-greet to encourage locals to join the team as an on-call firefighter. 

Across the two-days, FRNSW staff tested smoke alarmed and checked access to fire hydrants. (Supplied)

“A lot of the community didn’t really understand what on-call firefighters mean, so we were able to give education on that,” Mr Haines said. 

On-call firefighters are paid to train and attend incidents, balancing it around their own work and life requirements.

“When you do sign up…we’re not expecting you to be sitting at the station for hours on end. You’re allowed to have your primary employment and be able to respond from home or work or wherever you are at the time the call comes through.”

The shortage of firefighters - with Walgett having only four - is a common issue around Western NSW, where cost of living pressures, family commitments and primary employment has meant that people haven’t been able to offer extra hours. 

The visit to Walgett was deemed a success by FRNSW, with one person applying to become an on-call firefighter on the spot. 

“It’s a little bit of money on the side leading up to the holidays, and it’s also giving back to the community and educating the wider community to be safer around fires.”