The Kingsley Country Fire Service (CFS) Group is facing a major volunteer shortage on the eve of the bushfire danger season, with locals urged to join to protect their community.
Kingsley Group Officer Grant Fensom said the group urgently required volunteers for all duties and they needed them in big numbers.
“Down here, we are in trouble,” Mr Fensom said.
“It has been a long time coming, it is not something that has happened overnight.
Mr Fensom said they were looking for at least 40 volunteers across the brigades of Allendale East, Blackfellows Caves, Kongorong, Donovans, Mount Schank and Port MacDonnell.
“We have got the equipment, we have got the stations, we have got the fantastic trucks, we sit very well-resourced generally, but our biggest problem now is volunteers,” he said.
Mr Fensom said volunteers were the group’s greatest asset and ageing volunteers retiring from active service were not replaced fast enough.
“We find we just do not have the people around in rural areas to stand up and do stuff,” he said.
“There are still people around, do not get me wrong, I know there are people around but it has been a long time coming.”
Mr Fensom said there were often misconceptions volunteers had to be available 24/7, however he stressed that people did not have to devote an immense amount of time to volunteer with the CFS.
“You have a life, you have a workplace, family comes first,” he said.
“If you can give a couple of hours a month or week to train or catch up or be available, that’s great, we have got people that can do more and people that can do less.
“Generally, if you do the best you can then that is good enough for us.”
Mr Fensom said the CFS was not only a fire service but also a rescue service which responded to situations including fallen trees, vehicle accidents and flooding.
However, volunteers are not required to attend to all incidents, some vehicle accidents can be very traumatic and if someone is not comfortable with the situation there is no requirement for them to attend or there could be other roles they could assist with.
Mr Fensom encouraged people of all ages, demographics and genders to volunteer because it was a great opportunity to give back to the community.
“I personally look at it this way, if I was in trouble or one of my family was in trouble, I would hope that someone could be there for them,” he said.
“If they are driving to Adelaide and get stuck or in an accident, or in a situation where they need help, I would really hope that someone is not far away.
“If someone needs help, we are there.”
Mr Fensom said the CFS was also a fantastic organisation to be involved with and volunteering was a great opportunity to meet new people.
“I have developed some fantastic relationships with some amazing people from all walks of life,” he said.
“I have met some incredible people across the country, it’s been fantastic, it’s not all give, there has been some take, as in I have gotten a lot out of it.
“Some of the skills we develop over the years with people are fantastic, it helps out in our own life, work life and just life in general.
“The satisfaction of someone saying thanks or you know you have done a good job or you have saved someone’s property or life, it’s great.”
People interested in volunteering can visit the CFS website or call the Naracoorte Regional Office on 8762 7100.
