Michael Warren

Journalist

If you’ve always wondered what it would feel like to be a much-valued local fire station member now is the perfect time to find out.

At present Both Port Douglas and Mossman stations are on the lookout for the next wave of recruits to join their local stations.

“We are on a recruitment drive because we are such a busy station and the more people we have to spread the workload the better,” Port Douglas Fire Station auxiliary captain Rebecca Stemp explained to Newsport.

“We train every Monday night from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Anyone is welcome to come along and see what’s involved, meet the crew and see if it’s for you.

“Both Port Douglas and Mossman stations have positions for new recruits, depending on where you live.”

Ms Stemp herself joined the firies four years ago as a recruit after her boss at the time was part of the station and encouraged her to come along and give it a go.

In her first year she completed her two-week recruit course and gained as much knowledge and training as possible. Ms Stemp became a lieutenant in 2020 – she was later named captain late last year.

A role as a local firey is varied and consists of a range of different duties, scenarios and challenges.

“We work very closely and alongside Mossman fire station, Port Douglas police and paramedics, the rural fire brigade, SES and other emergency service crews and the community,” she explained.

“We attend a number of different incidents, from road crash rescue, vertical rescue, swift water rescue, fire alarms, beach/house/scrub fires, cats up trees, the list goes on.

“We have an obligation to keep developing our knowledge and skills, which involves weekly training on a Monday, as well as weekend courses.”

To get involved contact either Port Douglas or Mossman Fire Stations.