Pearl Beach RFS Brigade needs volunteers

Have you ever wondered what motivates people to join a volunteer organisation like the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS)?

Now is your chance to find out, as Pearl Beach Progress Association and RFS Brigade hold a membership information night on March 25.

With 70,000 volunteers across the state, there are probably 70,000 unique reasons why people join the RFS.

Some join to take on a new challenge, some to give back to the community.

Some join for the mateship and camaraderie which come from training and working together.

Some do it because they want to make a difference.

Whatever your reason, being part of an organisation like the NSW RFS can be an incredible and rewarding experience and Pearl Beach Brigade needs more volunteers from across the Peninsula.

Bush fires were a major concern for the early settlers in Pearl Beach.

The formation of a brigade to fight bush fires came very early and for many years was a significant reason for the continuing existence of the Progress Association, which was formed in 1929.

In the early days the only water available for firefighting was the water in the creeks, springs and wells and in private water tanks.

Mostly the firefighters cleared fire breaks using shovels, axes, hoes and mattocks and tried to beat out encroaching flames with green boughs cut from the trees, or beaters made of canvas or hessian attached to pieces of wood and fitted with handles.

These beaters were soaked in water where possible to make them more effective and were later supplemented by knapsack sprays.

The fire brigade was composed entirely of local volunteers who lived in the valley or were visiting for the summer holidays.

At the first sign of a fire an alarm was sounded, summoning them to gather.

There were not many vehicles available to transport them though some firefighters possibly came on bicycles, others on foot.

While the Pearl Beach Brigade now has well equipped vehicles and a support network, more help is always needed.

The information night will be held from 5-7pm on Saturday, March 25, at Pearl Beach Community Hall.

Source:
Media release, Mar 21
Pearl Beach Progress Association