Long time CFA members, Damian Willmott and Nick Raca share their experiences in volunteering
Sacrificing their own family time, CFA volunteers work to keep their communities safe. Meet two dedicated volunteers from the south east.
South East
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National volunteers week is being celebrated around the country — and there are no more dedicated volunteers than those of the CFA.
One of those volunteers, Damian Willmott, is a legacy captain in Baxter.
His father joined as a firefighter in the 1980s, and his mother joined shortly after. Mr Willmott followed in his parents footsteps, joining the CFA at 11.
At 16, Mr Willmott became a junior firefighter, working under his father, a captain at the time.
“Once you’re a junior, you can start heading out to fires and accidents. I eventually became a lieutenant, and later a captain, which I am now,” he said.
Mr Willmott is well and truly making the CFA a family affair.
“I met my partner through CFA, and we now have three kids that come down to the station with us. The greatest thing about the CFA is that you can meet some of your best friends,” Mr Willmott said.
“Along with the compassion and empathy, the community definitely is something I want to pass on to my kids.”
Compassion and empathy are two driving forces for Mr Willmott and the wider CFA community.
“The volunteers are here with no incentives — we aren’t being paid, we are leaving our families sacrificing time with them to help others in despair,” he said.
“There are definitely some amazing people out there, and a lot of them are in the CFA.”
Nick Raca, an operational firefighter serving with the Frankston brigade, had a similar experience.
“I joined because I was new to the southeastern community and wanted to get to know the people I was living among,” Mr Raca said.
“Anywhere you go in regional areas, people look for the big red truck. We definitely provide a sense of security for our local communities and bring everyone together.”
Joining the CFA has been a lifetime of commitment for Mr Willmott, and he had encouraging words for anyone thinking about joining.
“You’ll have friends for life. The CFA can take you in a different direction in life, and even in your career,” Mr Willmott said.
Mr Raca shared the same sentiment.
“It really is a great community. Especially now that the Covid restrictions have eased and we can get back out and train together again. It’s a sense of community you won’t find anywhere else.”
