NSW Fire and Rescue Narooma captain Scott Dawson said children’s activity books would be handed out at the station’s open day, on Saturday, May 19.

“One of the activities is for a fire-escape plan," Mr Dawson said.

“The kids bring it on for us; get their parents thinking about a fire plan for their family. Kids need to know to go to the easiest door and meet outside, usually at the letterbox.”

Kids activity books will be just one offering at the open day.

“We open our doors to the public at 10am. They can have a drink and a chat with our firies, or get into the sausage sizzle,” Mr Dawson said.

“We’ll have the trucks out – the kids love to jump in the front of a fire truck – and we have giveaways for young and old. Doors close at 2pm.”

The Narooma station opened in 1984. Mr Dawson has been the captain for the past seven years and was deputy captain for seven years before that. He said retained firies staffed the station.

“Our firies are on call. We assemble at the station and dress into our firefighting gear before getting onto the truck and to the scene,” Mr Dawson said.

“We have 10 staff, we have room for six more.”

Mr Dawson encouraged applicants to visit the NSW Fire and Rescue website. He said basic requirements were a car licence, a degree of fitness, and a medical test; all training was provided.

“There are nine days of full-time training, where you learn about the trucks and come out fully qualified for breathing apparatus and first aid. It’s pretty full-on; big days,” he said.

The team drills a couple of times each month to skill up.

“Its interesting and you do get paid. You are not going to be a millionaire but its nothing to sneeze at,” Mr Dawson said.

Mr Dawson said the Narooma station had two trucks, and both attended the recent Tathra fire – the first time in 25 years both trucks were out of the station: “We had Ulladulla backfill Narooma … all up, we saved nine houses. It was pretty emotional.”

More: fire.nsw.gov.au