The brigade is recruiting retained fire fighters to ensure the local community remains well protected in an emergency.

“With the closure of Mineral Deposits, the guys now work out of town and the day time response is a bit of a worry,” fire fighter Glen Henry said.

A recruitment drive over the coming weeks will see a letter box drop and flyers posted around town asking people to join.

“Retained fire fighters are vitally important to our operations in rural and regional NSW. Their dedication and support is crucial to ensuring the safety of hundreds of communities,” NSW Fire Brigade superintendent Phil Treacy said.

Retained fire fighters are on call from home or work, rather than being on duty at the station.

Local fire fighters said availability was the biggest thing they were looking for and the brigade needed men and women who live or work within around 4km of Tea Gardens throughout the day.

A small wage is given to the fire fighters however fire fighter Darren Rapley said this wasn’t the reason they joined.

“It’s the satisfaction of helping the community out and responding to problems that arise around the town,” Mr Rapley said.

All fire fighters are put through four days of basic fire fighting training before they join the brigade as a trainee fire fighter.

Over the following months they then complete rescue training, resulting in a rescue ticket, and an advanced first aid course.

Following the training the local brigade runs drills twice a month and every year fire fighters can participate in weekends away at training camps with other brigades from around NSW.

“We do a lot of work with structural fires; protecting properties and buildings in towns,” fire fighter Leon Katz said.

“Every time that you are called out, it’s something different. You never know when you’ll be needed,” captain Jim Wisemantel said.

For more information about becoming a retained fire fighter, contact the zone administration office on 6583 8588 or Jim Wisemantel on 0410 632 580 or visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au.