Whilst things have been more wet and cold, than hot and dry, it’s still imperative to ensure we are prepared for fires and disasters in the future, with enough Emergency Responders in all our services.

NSW Fire and Rescue are currently recruiting for all our local stations, but in particular, the Lismore branch are calling for community minded individuals who would like to learn a diverse range of life-saving, and rewarding skills, to apply.

Captain of the Lismore Station 362, Tony Elliot told the Lismore App today "we aren't in our station, and so many people aren't in their homes, or businesses since the floods, so recruiting is harder for us at the moment, those who are there, are rebuilding. We currently have 5 vacancies to fill."

NSW Fire and Rescue Inspector for the Northern Rivers Price Conlan told The Lismore App “We are in a uniques scenario after the catastrophic disaster earlier this year, with many people having left Lismore, businesses still not back up and running, and a variety of challenges that have occurred”.

“We do still have enough staff, but anytime a vacancy occurs, we need to replace that position, and while we are running a recruitment drive at the moment, we are recruiting all year, so we urge anyone who is interested, and may fit the criteria, to register their interest.”

“We are recruiting retained firefighters, who are part time and pager-based firefighters for Lismore currently and ongoing, as well as the other local stations".

These firefighters will be paid for their time, fully trained to a high level of training, they are all very highly skilled emergency service professionals. They will be community minded, and interested in gaining a certain level of skills they may not have, or be able to gain anywhere else".

Image: Lismore's Fire Station during the Feb/March Floods

The journey of a retained firefighter starts through their interest and location being registered. The person will then complete a basic medical, and a Physical Ability Test (PAT) which is job specific and done in a certain timeframe. Inspector Conlan says "You don't have to be an Olympic Athlete, but you do need to have a certain level of fitness, and participate in ongoing training".

While the physical testing is the same that is done for full time positions, Inspector Price said "it's different to the recruitment process done in cities for the full time positions, where there are tens of thousands of applicants in a highly competitive field, vying for 100 positions".

"There are a number of criteria, and some location based specifics, which are assessed on a case by case basis. We no longer have a strict 4km from station rule, for example, though given the time critical nature of the work we do, location is still a factor requiring consideration."

"In Lismore we encourage people within the Lismore local area, but we are looking for daytime people specifically here, one of the key aspects of recruitment for Lismore in particular, as we often have people available overnight, but this is a 24hour role, requiring that availability".

Image: Brendan Hopkins (acting Captain) Goonellabah 316 and Tony Elliott (Captain) Lismore 362

"If we don't have any retained staff available during the day, we need to bring other staff in to cover these positions".

"The key criteria for Lismore are their daytime availability, physical fitness, of good health, that they are community minded, are open to learning, and willing to serve the community in this role".

"Since the floods, Lismore and Goonellabah have been sharing a fire station", says Acting Captain Brendan Hopkins from Goonellabah Station 316.

"It's been great to have the Lismore crew at our station, we have benefitted from the increased learning opportunities and it's been great to have them around, but I know they are keen to get back to their station."

Captain Hopkins who has been a member of the Goonellabah Brigade for a year and a half, says that "It is a fun environment, it’s kind if like a second family, we are definitely there for the camaraderie too. Hanging out with your mates, while serving your community."

He did say that the past 7 months has been challenging with regards to members having to juggle their full time work commitments along with family commitments and what has become a more intensive part time role with increased call outs, and for his station, as a Hazmat Station in particular, the increased callouts relating to chemical issues, which sadly have also included a number of mental health callouts, all of which do take a toll.

Image: The Lismore Crew in action, every job is different!

The Goonellabah Crew has 4 new recruits which are just beginning their training, which Brendan says "the team are excited to support them to grow in their confidence and proficiency so they can serve the community, as we continue to be dedicated to serving where we can, including in fire safety checks for anyone who may need support to check their fire alarms". 

"The crew is there and more eager than ever, we are doing our best to give back."

Captain Elliot told The Lismore App that we can expect to see the station back in action before the end of the year, though there have been delays to the previously expected re-opening which was set to be this month.

Bus driver of 15 years, and Retained Firefighter for 3years with Lismore, Wayne Devlin told The Lismore App that he wishes he joined earlier, though now his kids are older and he is a Pop, he has the time, and reiterates that the fitness test wasn't hard, but that there is plenty of information on how to train for it on the website.

Senior Retained Firefighter Andrew Bailey, also with Lismore told us "there are places for everyone, male, female, gender diverse."

He also told us "I've stuck around because we had to fight for the paid positions to come to our station, now we have them, I do it to support the crew and because I love the adrenaline and the family."

Inspector Price told The Lismore App "We have a certain number of applicants, but definitely need more, a lot of people have moved out, there aren't as many physical people around town anymore. We do still have a large number of staff in Lismore, so anytime someone leaves we must replace them, and if the positions do fill, but people qualify, they go onto our eList where they can be called up when a vacancy does arise, and that is where we go first, to fill our retained firefighter vacancies".

The process is all online, where there is also extensive information on the types of scenarios and conditions people may expect to find on the job, the level of fitness required and how to apply: go to: http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au

Inspector Price Conlan said, "There is no other job like it. It's interesting dirty, and very tough work, but it also is hugely varied and gives a real sense of achievement. We also go further afield to help communities in need during major disasters, and the sense of camaraderie and mateship that develops, when people work together under high pressure situations, to serve the community is there for sure, along with the high level skillset and ongoing fitness and strength."

NSW Fire and Rescue has Stations in the Northern Rivers at: Kyogle, Casino, Coraki, Lismore, Goonellabah, Alstonville Ballina, Evans Head, Byron, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads, Kingscliff and Murwillimbah.