The crew at Dubbo’s Wheelers Lane fire station is urging people to consider taking a job that involves more than just fighting fires.
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Fire and Rescue NSW this week launched its state-wide recruitment drive ‘More than Fire’, seeking to add about 300 additional permanent and retained firefighters to its ranks.
Leading firefighter was retained at Coolah for 11 years before moving into a permanent role at Dubbo.
He recommended FRNSW was to anyone wanting to be “more than just the ordinary”.
“What the fire brigade is looking for is people that want to help the community,” Stephen said.
“People think that all we do is fight fires and we do so much more than that these days. We protect the irreplaceable.
“We’re doing fires, we’re doing hazards, we’re doing rescues, we’re doing community engagement stuff – we do so much more than just fight fires.”
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Applicants are required to complete an online application before undergoing a series of tests, including problem solving and a Physical Aptitude Test.
Successful candidates will undergo training at the new state-of-the-art FRNSW Emergency Services Academy, which will welcome its first class of recruits in 2019.
Stephen and fellow firefighter Alex Frail highlighted the camaraderie to be found working at a fire station.
They want to give something back. They want to be more than just the ordinary.
- Leading firefighter Stephen Gilbert
“You’re looking for people that are team players,” Stephen said.
“They can work as part of a team but they can think individually as well.”
“We love to help people,” Alex added. “That’s why we chose this profession.”
Firefighters from Dubbo respond primarily to fires within the city’s limits, but are often called upon in their capacity as the sole HAZMAT agency in NSW.
That role has taken crews halfway to Broken Hill, while they also pitched in following the floods at Parkes and Forbes in 2016.
In their firefighting capacity, Dubbo crews have also supported the Rural Fire Service, and won awards for helping to save the Siding Spring Observatory during the 2013 Wambelong fire.
Stephen said western zone in particular relied “heavily” on its on-call firefighters.
“It’s a job that’s for everybody,” he said. “If you’re capable and you've got an interest, we’re looking for you!”
Go to www.fire.nsw.gov.au/recruitment to apply. Applications close November 19.
