COUNTRY Fire Authority volunteer Jo Ussing will become the first female Group Officer in the authority’s West Region.
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Ms Ussing’s new role will see her co-ordinating the authority’s Lowan Group, which consists of the Broughton, Diapur, Lorquon, Netherby, Nhill, Propodollah, Winiam, Woorak and Yanac brigades.
The only woman to currently take on the role in Victoria, she will manage the group’s operations, personnel, assets and equipment.
“Knowing that brigade members within the Lowan Group already function well as a team made it easy to accept a leadership role,” she said.
Ms Ussing joined Winiam Fire Brigade in 2004, but has since moved to the Nhill brigade because it is closer to home.
“I have a long and proud family history with CFA that dates back four generations,” she said.
“Both my parents and my brothers are CFA members, which was definitely a driving factor to me joining.
“One of my brothers was a fourth-generation captain of the Winiam brigade, so when my kids were old enough I decided to join.”
During her 13 years with CFA, Ms Ussing has held many roles including firefighter, communications officer and District 17 peer support co-ordinator. She has travelled the state to assist with major campaign fires, floods and storms.
Ms Ussing also likes to push herself to the limit and in September will embark on a one-month hiking trip in remote Western Australia to raise money for Cure Brain Cancer Foundation – a cause close to her heart.