New Epping CFA captain Rob Saitta is ready to tackle the big challenges as the brigade prepares for the coming fire season.
Mr Saitta has replaced Heath Kenzie, who had been captain for six years.
Mr Saitta first joined the Epping brigade in 1994 and has been an active member since then.
He said one of the biggest challenges he faced was the rapid growth in Epping and the surrounding areas.
“The perception is the CFA only looks after grass fires, which
isn’t the case, with Epping looking after all types of emergencies and
[it] has a rescue [team] as well.
“Last financial year we had 425 call outs which is the most we have ever been to.
“The rapid residential and business development growth in the
area, which includes multilevel apartment complexes and the overall
growth in the Whittlesea council boundary, mean we are going to more
jobs.
“The increased number of people moving into the area who have English as a second language is also something we have to focus on.”
Mr Saitta said a fire in February that burnt 2040 hectares meant people were now more aware of how close fires could come to houses.
“That area has never burnt in the 70 years the brigade has been going and [it] was the biggest grass fire Epping has seen.’’
He said he would continue building on the partnerships developed
by the brigade within the community, especially with kindergartens and
schools.
“The Epping Secondary College actually has a youth crew program
which teaches the students about emergency services at the Epping fire
brigade.
“Through the close connection and the well-developed
relationships there is ongoing commitment to education of younger
members of the local community by the brigade.”
