By Mitchell Clarke
As the Pakenham CFA prepares to shift into a fully volunteer service, a new captain is set to take the reins and lead the team.
With more than three decades experience volunteering with the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Michael Corzelius is well placed to manage his team through an important and dynamic period in the fire services history.
Mr Corzelius first began his journey as a CFA volunteer in 1988 and has since accumulated a host of positions and titles throughout his impressive period of community service.
“The local fire siren used to go off which was opposite my house, so I couldn’t resist joining CFA,” he explained.
Beginning his stint in the small town of Kalorama, near Mount Dandenong, Mr Corzelius has gone on to represent his brigade as the communications officer, group communications officer, secretary, fourth lieutenant and first lieutenant.
“Kalorama was a small community and I am a real community person who likes giving back,” he explained.
“I like learning and the CFA can teach people so much.
“I believe being a CFA volunteer is an integral part of Victoria, with fire prevention, fire suppression, and education programs, it involves multiple levels of our community.”
Mr Corzelius told the Gazette his very first job involved responding to a motor vehicle accident. At the time, he had only been in the CFA for just over a month.
“I held a ladies hand whilst she was put in a helicopter and I went to the hospital with her,” he recalled.
“She was so grateful that someone was with her.”
In 1994, he vividly remembers attending a bushfire in Warburton, where he saved the lives of two goats by bringing them on the tanker.
Three years later, Mr Corzelius was on the first fire truck to respond to the 1997 fires in the Dandenongs.
“It was a very scary experience, but as a team we all worked well,” he explained.
Mr Corzelius eventually moved to Pakenham in 2010, where he transferred from Hallam CFA to the local brigade.
He now lives in Lakeside and said the friendliness of neighbours and the community lifestyle were the aspects he enjoyed most.
Similarly, he describes the Pakenham CFA as a community in itself, which has played a vital role servicing the Cardinia Shire since 1929.
Made up various roles including senior and junior members, Pakenham CFA volunteers are kept busy throughout the year, whether responding to fire calls or attending various community or charity events.
“We respond to approximately 450 calls a year, so it can be very busy,” Mr Corzelius explained.
“We try to encourage our members to be available for both CFA and their family and work life.
“That’s why we like to ensure we share the work load with a large team of volunteers at Pakenham.”
When he’s not responding to fire calls, Mr Corzelius said he can be found gardening, spending time with family and friends or watching supporting his beloved Bombers in the AFL.
It was only recently that he was able to say, with certainty, that he had fulfilled a personal goal and his proudest achievement – being elected to position of captain at Pakenham.
“I am proud that the volunteers at the Pakenham Fire Brigade have entrusted me to lead them through a new era at CFA,” Mr Corzelius said.
“As the new captain, I believe our team at Pakenham will grow as a great community member, engaging with our community, so they can be confident that our volunteers will always be there to support our community as needed.”
The revered role will be made even more challenging with the current changes at hand, but Mr Corzelius has vowed to continue working alongside career firefighters as they leave the CFA badge under new legislation.
“It will be busy with this new era as our CFA staff will go over to Fire Rescue Victoria, but as always, we will continue to work as a team,” he said.
“My team are there to support me, and I am there to support our members.
“I have a great brigade management team and we will ensure that the community will receive the service the community expects.
“I will ensure the safety of our volunteers and of the community is a high priority and I look forward to meeting all the challenges that will be ahead.”
Pakenham CFA is always on the hunt for new members to join. If you are interested, you can make contact with the brigade directly or via the CFA website.
