Victoria’s Country Fire Authority hopes an expected demographic shift will bolster its volunteer base as the coronavirus pandemic encourages Melburnians to move to regional Victoria.
The pandemic has also prompted major operational changes, but acting Chief Officer Garry Cook insisted the fire service remained in a strong position to protect Victorian communities.Real estate and demographic observers expect the pandemic will spur an increase in sea-and tree-changers, as Melburnians seek to do city-based jobs remotely.
Mr Cook said substantial new operational procedures had been introduced to prevent the spread of coronavirus, with firefighters expected to wear masks extensively – not just on the fireground – and sharply reduce social interaction."What we're now talking about is those masks being potentially worn from the minute they get in and arrive at the station to go to an emergency to the minute they get home and disinfect and clean up," Mr Cook said.
This will be the first summer under the fire service's new structure, with the CFA and its volunteers separated from Fire Rescue Victoria, which employs paid firefighters in urban areas.
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