Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is currently calling for new volunteers across regional areas and following the placement of Paul at least two more will need to be recruited for the Walcha station.

Originally from Glenn Innes, Paul moved to Walcha from Warners Bay with his wife Karen 18 months ago.

“We decided on a country change and 8 months after we settled in town I started work with the Walcha Shire Council,” Paul said.

“Karen and I have always been active and community minded and we wanted to continue that after our move to Walcha.”

After a discussion with Walcha Fire Station Commander Peter Dunn Paul applied to join the local fire and rescue team.

“After the initial application process that included passing my medical exam, physical and aptitude tests I attended phase one training at the NSW Fire and Rescue Training Centre in Armidale,” Paul said. “Last week I finished phase two training and achieved my Certificate 3 in fire fighting.”

Paul says that while training is intense  it is also very rewarding.

“All aspects of a number of situations were covered including: structure fires; bush fires; search and rescue; hazardous materials; motor vehicle accidents and first aid. I am now on duty as available with drills every second and fourth week on Wednesday night and a roster for station inventory management system checks of a weekend.”

FRNSW Zone Commander, Superintendent Tom Cooper said the Walcha station was still short of firefighters and appealed to local residents looking for a challenge, to consider applying.

“Your fire station relies on people in the community to put their hand up to become firefighters – without that support, regional fire stations cannot survive,” Superintendent Cooper said.

“Retained firefighters balance work and family commitments to respond to fires and other emergencies on an ‘on call’, part-time basis.”

Paul said Walcha Shire Council had a long standing association with the community and were very supportive of his new role.

“ I am looking forward to further training to be a more valuable member of the team,” he said. 

“It is a great way to be involved in the community and also a chance to give back.”

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