David Arnell’s been on the job for two weeks now, but he’s already grasped how difficult the vocation of firefighting can be.
Whether it’s the house fire in the winter or the out-of-control blaze in the scorching heat, Mr Arnell knows he needs to drop everything and fight the fires. Most of the time, without praise or thanks.
That’s why days like National Red Balloon Day are important to Mr Arnell, Melton CFA’s newest recruit, and his colleagues. “It’s an opportunity for the public to say, ‘thank you, fireys’ and for the men and women in red to feel appreciated,” he says.
“Driving around on the day and seeing the balloons flying will make every firefighter feel appreciated. A thanks can go a long way after a job; it makes you feel like you’ve done something good for someone and the community.”
Mr Arnell is asking Melton and Moorabool people to buy a ‘thank you fireys’ balloon and fly it from their homes or workplaces on February 28. Profits raised from the event will go to Victoria’s CFA and MFB.
Details: nationalredballoonday.org
