Green Lake Fire Brigade Captain Cameron Mibus has been involved with his brigade for 15 years

That's what Green Lake Fire Brigade captain Cameron Mibus told the Wimmera Mail-Times is why he does what he does.

There are few if any paid firefighters in the Wimmera, meaning Country Fire Association volunteers like Cameron are vital for fighting fires at a time when the region is as vulnerable as ever.

As Green Lake fire brigade captain, Mr Mibus admitted that his role is multi-faceted and comes with many duties that ensure Green Lake is prepared for any blazes or accidents that come its way.

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"Looking after all the members," Mr Mibus said in response to what his duties were.

"Making sure the members are up to date with training, with the skills that they need.

"Ensuring we have crews ready on total fire ban days.

"And looking after fires and accidents in our local area."

Mr Mibus, who has been involved with the Green Lake Fire Brigade for "15 odd years" said being a volunteer firefighter was something he always wanted to do as a child.

"My father was in the brigade and was captain at the time when I was growing up," he said.

"I think I joined as a junior firefighter at 16 when you were allowed to join then.

"You start as a junior firefighter and then a general firefighter and then work your way up through the ranks."

Nowadays Mr Mibus is a farmer in the local area which he said "makes it easier being a brigade member".

He juggles his work commitments with his fire fighting and said this time of year it is particularly hard to do so.

"This time of year during harvest time it's hard to juggle," he said.

"But once harvest is done it's a lot easier.

Everyone who's a farmer finds it hard this time of year.

"But everyone knows that you need a fire out or an incident under control so everyone can get back home again."

Over 15 years Mr Mibus has seen his fair share of bushfires, but said the 2014 Grampians fires is one that stands out as the biggest.

"That went for multiple days on end and covered an area from the back of Brimpaen all the way through to the North end of St Helens Plains, so it was a massive area," he said.

"Everyone was exhausted by the end of it.

"It was a massive task to get it under control and it was a massive task for the rebuilding process for fencing and livestock."

So far this season (early December 2021) the Green Lake captain said his brigade had been "relatively busy".

"There's been a few small fires and incidents," he said.

"We've had a lot of accidents in the offseason on the highway as well that we've been involved with. More than usual I would say."

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