In the old days you would hear the clang of the fire engine bell as the local brigade vehicle sped to a fire, firemen replete in their red helmets (well they were in my time), and seemingly a lot of hose and a few ladders.

What a far cry from today as we found out at the April Forbes Men’s Probus Club meeting from Captain of the Forbes Fire Brigade, Brian Clarke who has been with the Brigade 39 years.

Brian not so long ago retired from Forbes Shire Council after giving that organisation 46 years valuable service.

And earlier this year Brian was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in the annual Australia Day Honours. The AFSM is the highest honour an Australian firefighter can receive.

Brian admitted that when he joined the Brigade in 1978 there was not a lot of training but that has all changed as the Station now commands 14 members plus Brian.

It now costs $5000 a year per crew member but before anyone is admitted they must undergo a four day training course and be able to wear breathing apparatus.

And of course today they must undergo asbestos training. Today Occupational Safety is a “big thing” in Brian’s words.

Further proof of how far fire-fighting has become is that thermal imaging cameras can now locate the seat of a fire and anyone in a house and can scan a room quickly.

And unlike years ago, today the Fire Brigade is called on to attend certain road crashes.

Brian said today the Station must have four crew members on call during a 24 hour shift…”so the town is very well served”.

Just how different it can be even in the Central West is when the Forbes Brigade was called to a sodium fire at the Jemalong Solar Energy Farm where firefighters had to stay 800 metres from the burn and a Hazmat crew had to be brought down from Sydney.

Our guest speaker at Friday’s meeting is Robert Muffet and this too should be an interesting talk because of Robert’s impressive credentials: (the following comes from the Rural Financial Counselling Service website.)

Rob Muffet -  Rural Financial Counsellor

Robert joined the Forbes office in July 2000 and has previous experience in both agriculture management and operations of mixed farms and as a mortgage analyst Roberts experience and studies, which include an Associate Diploma of Rural Business Management, Diploma of Agribusiness (With Distinction), Accounting 1, Microeconomics, Business Law, Business Statistics, Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling) along with negotiation and communications training, allowing him to fulfil his desire to provide a dedicated and professional service to his clients.

Sadly at the April meeting we learnt of the passing of Harold Payseno who had not been a member for long and was battling a terminal illness. Harold was buried at Peak Hill.

And a report was given to the meeting on the mystery trip which took in Trundle, Tullamore and Tottenham.