A small brigade in Melbourne's southeast is now thriving because of a recruitment plan targeting migrants and refugees.
Aida Pahang came to Australia as an asylum seeker from Iran two years ago.
She is now living her dream at the Noble Park Fire Brigade in what otherwise would have been challenging to do in Iran.
"It's very difficult doing this job with a scarf and hijab," she said.
A plan to recruit refugees and migrants as volunteer firefighters saved the brigade from closing its doors.
According to the Brigade Support Officer, it has been extremely successful.
"We have about 16 languages spoken in the brigade now and they come from a range of backgrounds," said Matthew Pond.
But he added it did not come without challenges, many of which they have overcome, including the language barrier.
"We worked with the Adult Migration Education Services in particular in order to establish some of the words we use day to day in the fire brigade."
Aida's husband, Abbas Abdollahi, is also a volunteer firefighter with the CFA (Country Fire Authority); but he had his own motivations to sign up.
He came to Australia with his wife on an old fishing boat with over 100 others crammed on board.
He now believes he owes his services to his new country.
"The people from [the] navy, they saved my life. And you know, I think I have to do something like that," he said.
The brigade, which is totally reliant on volunteers, has increased its members to more than 50, with almost half of those born overseas.
Brigade Support Officer Matthew Pond said the increased numbers has had a great impact on the brigade's capabilities.
After only being able to respond to one in four incidents, the Noble Park Fire Brigade can now get to 90 per cent of them.
"It's awesome. It just is. I am really proud," said Abbas Abdollahi.
"When I want to help someone, then I can help someone. It's from my heart."
Victoria's Country Fire Authority is encouraging other brigades to look at similar recruitment drives.
