The Wattle Range Country Fire Service Group is set to split in half in 2024.
Although a final decision has yet to be taken, the local CFS leadership expects 11 brigades will form the Millicent Group while the remaining 11 brigades will become the Penola Group.
If it proceeds in about 12 months from now, the Wattle Range CFS Group will lose its status as the largest CFS group in South Australia which it has held for the past 26 years.
Talks about the restructuring of the 600-strong volunteer organisation have been under way for several months and continued at the annual general meeting at the Group headquarters in Millicent last week.
Wattle Range CFS group officer Fred Stent said a de-merger into east and west CFS groups was likely to occur within the next 12 months.
“There are some forms to fill in so we can have an easy transition at the next annual general meeting,” Mr Stent said.
“I was re-elected as group officer for two years and I expect I will become the Penola group officer as I live here.
“The split into east and west will not follow exactly the old council boundaries.
“The meeting was well attended with just three apologies and it lasted for 2.5 hours.”
The current Wattle Range CFS Group was formed in 1997 at the same time as the former Millicent, Beachport and Penola councils merged to form the Wattle Range Council.
At that time, Mike Kemp was the Millicent/Beachport group officer with Mr Stent holding this role at the Penola group.
Under the expanded group, Mr Kemp was amicably elected as the group officer with Mr Stent his deputy.
When Mr Kemp stepped down eight years ago, Mr Stent was elected unopposed as his successor.
His time in the CFS exceeds 50 years and dates back to his time as a cadet.
Mr Stent was recognised in 2013 for his community efforts by being awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal.
Also at the annual general meeting, there have been three changes made within the local structure.
The 22 brigade captains in the Wattle Range CFS Group also re-elected Penola volunteer firefighter Christian Fraser as a deputy group officer.
The newcomers to the deputy group officer rank are Glencoe’s John Critchley, Millicent’s Chris Mathias and Kalangadoo’s Mariska Hawke.
The elections were conducted by personnel from the CFS region five headquarters in Naracoorte.
