In shock at her sudden loss, the man’s wife was supported by two brigade members, who helped break the news to the couple’s children and began the process of organising a funeral.

In the weeks that followed, the members cleaned the family’s house, repainted the walls, cleared out the guttering and supported them “in every way possible”.

It was selfless acts like these which prompted brigade secretary Gloria Turner to nominate the Junortoun Fire Brigade for a community group of the year award in the 2016 Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

Ms Turner said the tight-knit crew of 45 firefighters and support staff did an “amazing job”.

“They’re hard-working, team-oriented people and they have very few resources but they make the most of it,” she said.

Another of the brigade’s achievements Ms Turner cited in her nomination was an increase in diversity, following a recent recruitment drive.

Ms Turner said previously “females tended to think they could only do the catering”, but since the diversity push six female firefighters had joined their male counterparts in “all fire situations”.

She said the previously all-white brigade had also recently recruited its first “non-anglo” Australian and nine new members under the age of 30.

With only limited funding available from the Country Fire Authority head office, the Junortoun brigade’s fundraising efforts were also singled out for praise in Ms Turner’s submission, in particular a campaign which raised $100,000 for new vehicles and equipment.

“About two years ago they decided they needed a new tanker,” she said.

“We had to raise $65,000 to buy a new fire truck and many people thought we couldn’t do it, but we did it in just over six months so it was quite amazing and that was by all [of us] pulling together.”

But Ms Turner said despite their efforts, the brigade was still “desperately in need” of a new fire station, which the CFA has so far declined to fund.

“After a fire all canvas fire hoses have to be washed and dried before [being put] back on the trucks, the limited unpaved space around the fire station meant that brigade members lay their hoses on the road that passes the station with members keeping watch for traffic,” she said.

“Housing development now makes this a difficult exercise.”

Finalists in the awards will be presented and winners announced at a gala awards presentation dinner in Melbourne on Friday, October 14.