After the recent floods (and the 2017 floods), the firefighters of Lismore Fire Brigade were there, holding hoses and cleaning flood mud from walls and floors of houses.

Whether it’s fires, floods or other emergencies, we rely on our Fire and Rescue NSW workers to be on the front line, looking after the local community.

So this week when over 40 firefighters across NSW were honoured as part of St Florian’s Day celebrations (St Florian is the patron saint of firefighters) – the Lismore App thought it was time to speak to our Lismore firies, to find out about their hard work and selfless service.

Lismore Fire Brigade

Career firefighter of 30 years, Ian Grimwood is the Lismore Fire Brigade station officer.

He and his staff are now operating out of the Goonellabah fire station, after the Lismore station on Molesworth Street was inundated in the February flood.

While we might think of firies as being exceptionally brave, Ian said they are actually a humble lot.

“We don’t seek out clapping and cheering,” Ian said. “But when the government handed out commendations and awards recently to volunteers, staff and teams from the NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW, it was nice that they recognized our work - that we do a lot more than fight fires.

“Public education and minimizing risk of fire risks is another part of our job.”

February flood

“When the February flood happened, we helped with the evacuation of Mel’s nursing home.

“We got each person onto a sheet and passed them out through a window, across small roof and onto boats.

“It was a combined effort with all the emergency services working together – ambulance, SES, police and us.

“At one stage we were on a boat with SES crew and a police driver touring around looking for people to rescue.

“The boat had 60 horsepower and was struggling with the water at times

 “One of my staff was off duty and rescued about 50 people in his small boat. He and a mate went down to South Lismore Public School and saved a lot of people from there.

“Without the civilian contribution in the flood rescues, the end results could have been more catastrophic.”



Cathedral saved by D Platoon

When it comes to special shout outs to local firefighters, Ian said it was the work of Lismore Fire Brigade’s D Platoon which saved the Lismore cathedral from burning down in September 2020.

“Each time I drive past the cathedral, I think ‘it could have been another Notradame’,” Ian said.

“I’m proud of what they achieved as professional firefighters – sometimes fires don’t have a good outcome, but that one was an example of good firefighting.

“I put them in for a commendation – they determined the seat of fire and entered the building so quickly. They tackled the fire at the right spot and stopped it in its tracks.”

Read more about the cathedral fire:

Fire at St Carthage's Cathedral closes school and roads

Lismore bishop unsure of cause of 'suspicious' cathedral fire

The man arrested in the CBD yesterday is charged with Cathedral fire and other crimes in NSW

'I set fire to the cathedral': Fake confession brings trouble to local muso

So you want to be a firefighter?

If you have the calling to be a firie, Ian said now is the perfect time to get involved.

“Fire and Rescue NSW are doing an intake of permanent firefighters now.

“You need to apply online via the Fire and Rescue NSW or look at the Facebook page.

“Training takes place in Sydney at the Emergency Services Academy in Orchard Hills in Sydney and women are encouraged to join.

It’s a non gender specific role and if you are interested, don’t let anything hold you back.”

St Florian’s Day

St Florian’s Day is named after the Patron Saint of firefighters, and is traditionally the day where we come together to recognise our volunteers and staff who have gone above and beyond – showing incredible acts of bravery in protecting the community, or delivering the highest level of commitment to the Service that is worthy of special recognition.

In all cases, the recipients are nominated by their peers, which makes receiving an award on St Florian’s Day even more significant and special.