Firefighters raise money for RAW Tasmania

Tasmania’s newest firefighters have made a potentially life-changing contribution to the community, even before they’ve responded to their first emergency.

Twenty-four firefighters graduated from the Tasmania Fire Service Firefighter Development Program on July 3 and have moved to operational duties at Hobart and Launceston stations.

As part of their 15-week intensive training course, a group of six firefighters (Echo syndicate) were tasked with fundraising work, with wellbeing charity Rural Alive and Well Tasmania, selected as the beneficiary.

Rural Alive and Well (RAW) is a non-clinical service which promotes mental health and wellbeing for people living and working in Tasmania’s regional and rural communities.

Firefighter Connor Thompson said the trainees were proud to assist RAW.

“It was very rewarding to help an organisation such as Rural Alive and Well to continue the important work they do in providing mental health wellbeing, and supporting our regional communities,” Mr Thompson said.

“From the onset of entering the trainee course, it was clear that we were all going to show some form of vulnerability, and we all felt strongly we wanted to select a mental health organisation that helps wellbeing and that represents right across Tasmania.

“Rural Alive and Well does a fantastic job being involved in those challenging industries such as forestry, fisheries, and farming, which we have in our regional areas. And it is these areas that where, predominantly, a lot of our volunteer firefighters are based. So it just made sense to be giving something valuable back to those communities.”

RAW Outreach team leader Julia Batchelor said the support from TFS firefighters would enable RAW to continue its important work in mental health and wellbeing.

“By receiving these funds, it means we can continue to support our rural and remote communities, and our volunteer fire brigades in those communities as well,” she said. 

“Often when there are natural disasters within those communities we’re there at the forefront, on the ground, supporting through those challenging and tough times.” 

The TFS firefighters raised $3120 through a silent auction, with prizes donated to the TFS from Tasmania businesses and retailers.