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Storm and Flood Assistance
Charlotte Adams didn’t originally plan to become a firefighter.
In fact, she turned up to a volunteer information night thinking she was joining the ACT State Emergency Service, but it was actually an information night for the ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS).
In fact, she turned up to a volunteer information night thinking she was joining the ACT State Emergency Service, but it was actually an information night for the ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS).
“I remember thinking: ‘don’t the SES wear orange?’” laughs Charlotte.
“But then Rohan Scott, who was the Molonglo captain at the time, approached me and said his brigade would be pleased to have me volunteer, and that was that — I joined the ACTRFS.”
What started out as a mix-up turned into a life-defining commitment to service, and, 15 years later, Charlotte is still an active member of Molonglo Brigade.
Her roles over this time have been varied — from being on the frontline as a firefighter, to holding leadership and support roles like training officer, treasurer, secretary, vice president, assessor, and peer support officer.
But among the most memorable moment of her time in the ACTRFS have been the deployments she's participated in over the years.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to go on a few deployments nearly every year since I joined,” says Charlotte.
“I think I’ve been to Tasmania five times, Victoria three or four times, and I was deployed to Canada in 2017.”
That international deployment remains a standout moment.
“Canada was quite a unique experience,” remembers Charlotte.
“The terrain was different, and the wildlife too — we had to do a bear-safety course, in case we came across one, which we did. It was pretty eye-opening.”
Charlotte’s passion for volunteering runs deep, and it’s something she has passed on to the next generation.
Her daughter Celeste was only four years old when she first started tagging along to brigade events, and years later, when she was seventeen, she officially joined as a cadet.
“Celeste told me when she was fifteen that she wanted to join the service, and I like to think I inspired her,” says Charlotte.
“Over her three years as a volunteer she’s made lifelong friends, and developed a very good support network.”
While firefighting is the most visible part of the role, Charlotte finds just as much value in the broader contributions her brigade makes to the community.
One moment that stands out for her was during a serious storm incident in January 2023, when, after power was cut to many homes in the local area, the Molonglo Brigade opened their shed to the public.
“People came to do their washing, have a shower, and get some ice,” remembers Charlotte.
“My own home’s power was actually off for three weeks after the storm, so I used the service too.
“It was pretty special seeing how grateful people were, and it reminded me that we’re here to support the community, not just fight fires.”
Charlotte believes that the key to getting the most out of volunteering is staying engaged — not just during emergencies, but in all aspects of service.
“You really do get back what you put in,” says Charlotte.
“Volunteering won’t be satisfying if you don’t make an effort. That includes training, community events, being at staging areas — all of it.”
Now working in emergency management as a public servant, Charlotte continues to bring her experience and knowledge full circle, even if her job wasn’t originally planned to mirror her volunteer life.
“They saw I was a firefighter and assumed I’d be good at emergency management, so I had to pretend it was my thing,” she jokes.
After more than a decade and a half as a volunteer, Charlotte is still giving her all — on the ground, in the brigade, in her job, and in her community.
And to think it all began with turning up on the wrong night.
“But then Rohan Scott, who was the Molonglo captain at the time, approached me and said his brigade would be pleased to have me volunteer, and that was that — I joined the ACTRFS.”
What started out as a mix-up turned into a life-defining commitment to service, and, 15 years later, Charlotte is still an active member of Molonglo Brigade.
Her roles over this time have been varied — from being on the frontline as a firefighter, to holding leadership and support roles like training officer, treasurer, secretary, vice president, assessor, and peer support officer.
But among the most memorable moment of her time in the ACTRFS have been the deployments she's participated in over the years.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to go on a few deployments nearly every year since I joined,” says Charlotte.
“I think I’ve been to Tasmania five times, Victoria three or four times, and I was deployed to Canada in 2017.”
That international deployment remains a standout moment.
“Canada was quite a unique experience,” remembers Charlotte.
“The terrain was different, and the wildlife too — we had to do a bear-safety course, in case we came across one, which we did. It was pretty eye-opening.”
Charlotte’s passion for volunteering runs deep, and it’s something she has passed on to the next generation.
Her daughter Celeste was only four years old when she first started tagging along to brigade events, and years later, when she was seventeen, she officially joined as a cadet.
“Celeste told me when she was fifteen that she wanted to join the service, and I like to think I inspired her,” says Charlotte.
“Over her three years as a volunteer she’s made lifelong friends, and developed a very good support network.”
While firefighting is the most visible part of the role, Charlotte finds just as much value in the broader contributions her brigade makes to the community.
One moment that stands out for her was during a serious storm incident in January 2023, when, after power was cut to many homes in the local area, the Molonglo Brigade opened their shed to the public.
“People came to do their washing, have a shower, and get some ice,” remembers Charlotte.
“My own home’s power was actually off for three weeks after the storm, so I used the service too.
“It was pretty special seeing how grateful people were, and it reminded me that we’re here to support the community, not just fight fires.”
Charlotte believes that the key to getting the most out of volunteering is staying engaged — not just during emergencies, but in all aspects of service.
“You really do get back what you put in,” says Charlotte.
“Volunteering won’t be satisfying if you don’t make an effort. That includes training, community events, being at staging areas — all of it.”
Now working in emergency management as a public servant, Charlotte continues to bring her experience and knowledge full circle, even if her job wasn’t originally planned to mirror her volunteer life.
“They saw I was a firefighter and assumed I’d be good at emergency management, so I had to pretend it was my thing,” she jokes.
After more than a decade and a half as a volunteer, Charlotte is still giving her all — on the ground, in the brigade, in her job, and in her community.
And to think it all began with turning up on the wrong night.
