Annie - Tamborine Mountain Rural Fire Brigade
Annie - Tamborine Mountain Rural Fire Brigade
I joined the Tamborine Mountain Rural Fire Brigade in 2019, looking to support my community, learn new skills and to connect with like-minded people. It was through my experience as a volunteer that I also discovered I had a strong interest and passion for communications, and this motivated me to pursue a rewarding career as a Fire Communications Officer. The skills I developed from volunteering have been invaluable, and I am proud to now be able to say that I contribute to the Queensland community in both my paid and volunteer roles. I especially enjoy being able to share the insights and knowledge that I’ve gained as a Firecom Officer, and to use this to help other volunteers develop their own radio and communication skills. Firecom run recruitment campaigns seeking communications staff in centres across the state and I would encourage anyone interested to check out the information under 'Join our team' on the QFD website.
Claire - Cabarlah Rural Fire Brigade
Claire - Cabarlah Rural Fire Brigade
I began my volunteer journey in 2021, when I started my Rural Fire Service foundation skills training and became a part of the PCYC Emergency Services Cadet program, both of which gave me a great insight of the drive, passion, and motivation shown by the many volunteers my path crossed. In 2023, I progressed to become an adult leader within the ESC, relishing the opportunity to “give back” to this amazing program, and to continue my volunteer journey within both the RFSQ and the Emergency Service Cadets. I have found that volunteering in the Emergency Services sector has provided me with so many opportunities to take on and master new skills and has really nurtured my appetite and love of learning and to take on new challenges. I really enjoy building connections with other community-minded volunteers, and I have already met so many amazing people along my journey so far. My volunteer work has helped me to realise how strong my affinity to helping my community is, and this led me to take up a position as a Queensland Fire and Rescue Auxiliary Firefighter in 2024. I feel so proud to be able to help members of the community when they are most in need, and I enjoy undertaking the training to ensure that I am as prepared as possible for when the need for our services is required. I love the camaraderie, personal development opportunities and the practical skills gained through my volunteering, and I gain great satisfaction from knowing that the community benefits from these when we respond to incidents. Note: Claire has recently been acknowledged for her commitment to RFSQ, by being recognised with the Young Volunteer of the Year – South Western Region 2024 Award.
Peter - Ravensbourne Perseverance Rural Fire Brigade
Peter - Ravensbourne Perseverance Rural Fire Brigade
I ‘started’ my firefighting career as a boy on a farm at Palmtree near Ravensbourne (North of Toowoomba), when my brothers and I were forced to fight a fire which had inadvertently started in a cubby house we had built. We were very successful in this first foray into firefighting and the rest, as they say, “is history”. I joined the Palmtree-Perseverance Brigade at the age of 16 and have remained an active volunteer firefighter as part of three brigades ever since – a span of almost 61 years. In 1992 I became the First Officer of the amalgamated Ravensbourne Perseverance Rural Fire Brigade, a position I have continued to be elected to for the past 32 years. In 1994 - driven by considerable local boundaries confusion - I was instrumental in the formation of the Hampton Rural Fire Brigade and was elected as their custodian First Officer for 4 years, before serving as their chairman for a further 12 years. During the last 32 years I have been actively involved in many fires in the Ravensbourne area. Most notably, the significant fires of 1996, a fire which ran for 10 days. 2002, a fire which ran for 31 days, and most recently the 2019 fire which started at Grapetree and was eventually stopped near Esk, after burning for 17 days. I also still remember local fires in 1957 and 1959 from my childhood. Over the years, I have been on many deployments to fight fires, including in the Carnarvon’s Arcadia Valley and to assist our neighbours in northern NSW on a number of occasions. More recently, I have been very heavily involved in the provision of a Medium Attack appliance and an additional shed for the Ravensbourne Perseverance Rural Fire Brigade. These are important additions to support the many new members, trainees, and experienced firefighters we have at the Ravensbourne Brigade, so that the tradition of protecting the community can continue for many years to come. Peter is determined to continue as a volunteer firefighter while body and soul will allow him to do so safely, for himself and more importantly his crews.
Steve - Volunteer Scientific Officer
Steve - Volunteer Scientific Officer
I have been a Volunteer Scientific Officer with Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR) since 2015, which allows me to use my qualifications and skills as a chemist to help the community in their times of need. I enjoy being able to support the community in a meaningful way by utilising the skills that I already possess and have been able to considerably broaden my capabilities by undertaking the training opportunities offered by the QFR. The training and skills gained through my Volunteer Scientific Officer commitment has provided me with additional professional career capabilities, which has resulted in my ability to support my employer by applying these skills in my ‘day job’. This has proven to give me great satisfaction by being able to “pay back” my employer for the support and understanding they have shown for my volunteer commitments. After moving out to Moura for work I introduced myself to the Auxiliary firefighters at the station in Moura who convinced me to join them as an Auxiliary firefighter as well. The skills I developed as a firefighter have helped me in my volunteer role and have enabled me to share my passion for HAZMAT with Auxiliary Firefighters across Central Region. I have a strong belief that everyone capable should, at some time in their life, step up and help others in their time of need. I consider myself really fortunate to be able to carry out my fulfilling roles in QFR and the SES, which I find interesting, exciting, and really rewarding.