By Casey Neill
Amber Johnson is looking forward to finishing Year 12 – so that she has more time to volunteer for the Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade.
The 17-year-old Mater Christi College student from Lysterfield followed her dad into the CFA.
“I’m very passionate about helping the community,” she said.
“When they started the juniors program I was straight on it.
“Then I just started from there and kept going.”
The junior squad caters for 11 to 16-year-olds. Amber is now a rookie and has attended a few call-outs.
Her first was a car accident up the road from the Burwood Highway fire station.
“It was a little bit scary,” she said.
“But then when I got there it was fine.”
She’s looking forward to having more time to turn out to car accidents, washaways, fires, rescues and more once she finishes her studies.
“It’s made me confident,” she said of joining the brigade.
“It’s made me be able to talk to more people.
“Everyone here is amazing.
“I’ll be at home, I’ll be maybe angry and I’ll come up here and my stresses will be gone.”
Amber said she spoke about becoming a CFA volunteer to her classmates and urged them to stop talking about wanting to help, and actually do it.
“I’m the only operational girl but it doesn’t make a difference,” she said.
“I get along with everyone.”
She’s also the youngest member “but it hasn’t been a factor”.
Amber is a little worried about the fire season ahead.
“But I’ve done all the coursework for it and all the practical stuff,” she said.
In August, the Mail reported that Montrose 10-year-old Mia had donated $250 to the Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade through a school project and was planning a trivia night to raise another $1000.
She’s locked in St Bernadette’s Primary School in The Basin as the venue for the 27 October event.
Tickets are $20 per person. BYO nibbles and drinks.
Donations for the silent and live auctions include AFL jumpers signed by Richmond’s Alex Rance and Jack Reiwoldt, karate lessons, artworks, movie tickets, a home theatre projector and more.
More donations and attendees are welcome.
The brigade is also seeking new recruits.
Contact Captain Peter Smith on ps.muddy@gmail.com or 0438 330 361.
