 The Ballard Fire Brigade is one of the oldest fully-volunteer brigades in the Southern Hemisphere. I'm enriched by history every time I walk through the doors, having so many photos and other memorabilia that we are running out of room. The brigade attends around 500 to 600 calls a year, with 77 members, with 14 of them being juniors. Since I was four, I have grown up around the Fire Brigade. I have been around the members. They are family. They are at birthday parties, and they are always there to turn to. I don't remember a time without them. My stepfather has been a volunteer for around 21 years. He's currently the first lieutenant, which has allowed me to help out with many open days, heritage weekends, fundraisers and displays, for as long as I could remember. I've acted as Captain Koala and beep at the smoke alarm multiple times. I've seen what can happen when things hit home. An intense call or rescue can be harder to deal with. I remember a time when my stepdad came home and hugged me, told me that he loved me. I found out that he had had a casualty in an accident that reminded him of me. I was finally able to become a junior in 2010. I spoke at the opening and loved the experience of learning new things. When I turned 16, I was able to move up to the senior ranks. I was able to grow and learn with many new skills, as well as help out with more displays and learn a lot more historical facts. For the past few years, I've been torn between staying a member and leaving due to study and a lack of time. Although my high school was just across the road, I was unable to attend most course and training. But the brigade members understood. I was welcomed back with open arms when I could attend. I was encouraged to keep studying and stay a member. I don't think I'll be able to fully leave the brigade. I don't want to. It's a second home. It's a community where we look after each other. We pick each other up when we fall down and we always work as a team.