Zoe Ryder is set to play a critical role at the interface between the community and her firefighting brigade.
Zoe, 30, has for the first time been appointed to the role of brigade community safety co-ordinator, a role in which she will liaise with the community at shows, school visits and events such as the Cobram Agricultural Show, IGA Fun Day and Mower Races.
Known for her warmth and humour, she said she was looking forward to getting out in the community and getting to know more people.
“The role is that I oversee and co-ordinate brigade-level community engagement activities,” she said.
As fire season approaches, she’ll be speaking with community members and raising awareness of the fire risks that impact the Cobram district.
Alongside her duties in her new role, Zoe is also an active firefighter at the Cobram brigade.
She first joined the Yarroweyah Fire Brigade as a young teenager in 2011, quickly rising to the position of fourth lieutenant before moving to the Cobram Fire Brigade.
Since then, she has turned out with her fellow firefighters to over a dozen fires with the brigade, including grass, structure and bush fires.