Josh Loxley has been a firefighter for about 15 years and has fought fires right across western NSW.
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Originally from Bourke, his appointments have included Cobar and Yass.
But he’s now right at home at the Dubbo 280 Fire Station, where he’s been stationed for seven years.
He joined the station’s championship team three years ago and says he loves competing for the same reason he loves being a firefighter: “the friendships” and “camaraderie”.
“They were short a runner when one of the blokes moved to another station and I jumped in and thoroughly enjoyed it ever since,” Josh said.
“The same group of guys have been running around together now for about three years … and we travel all over the state to do it, so it’s good fun.”
He loves taking part in team events, but his favourite event is actually one he doesn’t take part in; ladder specialist Brett Smyth doing the ladder.
“I don’t like running up ladders – or running at all,” Josh joked.
“I think the suction event is the favourite one … That involves pulling out the suction hose at the back of the appliance, dropping it in a big tank and then … instead of a hydrant system, you just have a bucket pretty much. A big bucket.
“We either absolutely kill it, or absolutely mess it right up!”
It’s not just the firefighters that enjoy a close bond; Josh also works closely with NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service and many other paid and volunteer organisations.
“We know each other pretty well,” he said.
“We always go to the jobs that usually aren’t the best ones to go to, but we all stick together … and do what needs to be done.”
