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𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 - 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧![]()
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The Morcombe Lake Cup by Albany Fire Station ![]()
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In the midst of restrictions in 2020, Albany FRS lost two friends; SFF Matt Morcombe and DO Rob Lake. Lockdowns prevented us from saying goodbye or from even gathering together to mourn. Countless firefighters from around the state reached out, even while knowing that under the current conditions they could do little to help. ![]()
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When the restrictions were lifted, firefighters driven by a desire for the opportunity to help, reached out again. I use the word “opportunity” with all intent because strangely that’s how firefighters view doing something for a mate. It’s as if you’re doing them a favour by letting them help.![]()
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On the 16th of July 2020, SO Darren Martin and Firefighters Bruce DeGaris, Dom Reay, Andrew Struck and Kira Tremain drove down from Perth to relieve the crews of Albany FRS for 24 hours. They drove down at their own expense, in their own time, to do standbys they’ll never get back. ![]()
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It was the first time, to my knowledge, that an entire station had the opportunity to get together with no one being required on shift. That day we booked the local lawn balls club and the platoons at Albany competed for the inaugural Morcombe Lake Cup. It is an event that we still compete for today. ![]()
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The offer we took up was made by Scott Wyeth, but others had made the same offer. When I asked Scott how long it took to muster up a crew and why these firefighters, he replied: “They were just the first people I saw when I walked into the dining room. I had to start telling people “Sorry! It’s full”. ![]()
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To this day, that crew still thank me for the “opportunity”. “Anytime”, I tell them. ![]()
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That's a culture worth fighting for. ![]()
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On behalf of Albany CFRS![]()
#FightingForOurFuture![]()
#FFOF
Hey Albany! What are you fighting for? ![]()
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www.ufuofwa.net.au/fighting/![]()
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#FightingForOurFuture![]()
#FFOF
A quick shout out to our members on regional stations who often have to problem solve and overcome limited resources in their response to complex and dangerous incidents. ![]()
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Here's Kalgoorlie Career Fire and Rescue Service at a recent train carriage fire that may have involved dangerous goods/hazardous materials.![]()
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#FightingForOurFuture![]()
#FFOF
𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞![]()
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As part of EBA negotiations, we’re celebrating the impact firefighters have every day – and highlighting the issues we’re fighting for.![]()
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So we’re asking you to share your stories at www.ufuofwa.net.au/fighting![]()
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#FightingForOurFuture![]()
#FFOF
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞?![]()
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"It’s all about making life better for firefighters. Firefighters should be able to serve out their career in full health – mentally and physically."![]()
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"This is a big job and I don’t think you can play down the role that facing traumatic incidents has, especially when you can relate to the situation because someone involved reminds you of a person in your life. We are surrounded by trauma. Whether it’s direct, indirect or vicarious, trauma is real, we understand more about that now but we still have a long way to go and we need to have more support in place."![]()
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"We also need to get better at tracking exposure to chemicals and carcinogens and minimising the physical impacts of the job. I have to wear hearing aids, I’ve got artificial hips, had a presumptive cancer and I don’t sleep well thanks to years of shift work. Most firefighters in their 50s are not in top condition and I think there’s more we can do to look after people."![]()
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#FightingForOurFuture![]()
#FFOF
𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞![]()
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Happy Saturday - Especially to the relief staff who are currently carting all of this gear around in order to cover staff shortages today. ![]()
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#FightingForOurFuture![]()
#FFOF
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞?![]()
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"Members are being asked to shoulder increasing workloads without adequate training and recognition for the incredible skills and sacrifices that come with the job. The reality is sobering we’ve lost firefighters to suicide, and the toll on families through divorce and separation is alarming. Mental health struggles and injuries are often hidden, pushed underground, when they should be openly addressed and supported." ![]()
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"Too many Members are leaving the service with mental health conditions, or physical injuries that lead to ongoing mental health challenges. And while we regularly face traumatic incidents and work beyond our formal training, our workplace is shifting from being a service to a business. This comes with a loss of empathy and understanding within DFES - something that needs to change."![]()
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"We need to start talking about the real issues. We need to fight for a culture where our people feel valued, supported, and cared for - not just as employees, but as individuals who give so much to our community."![]()
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#FightingForOurFuture![]()
#FFOF
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞?![]()
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"As a firefighter your job has worth. When you do it well, people’s lives are changed. That might sound a bit cliched but it’s true. There’s also no other industry where people are so supportive of each other, if you ever need a favour or help - the empathy displayed by your teammates is extraordinary." ![]()
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"You can really see that when we lose someone. It’s the worst situation, but the way people come together to support the family or the honour guards we put together when we farewell one of our own, those are really powerful. We sometimes underestimate the impact of the collective group hug but that’s what we do, we wrap our arms around that family and the depth of that support is huge."![]()
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#FightingForOurFuture![]()
#FFOF
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞?![]()
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"Working in the Career Fire and Rescue Service is more than just a job - it’s a calling and a community built on camaraderie and mateship. The way we tackle challenges - whether it’s finding solutions during an incident, overcoming obstacles on station, or supporting one another in our personal lives - is truly remarkable."![]()
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"Our team is made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds and everyone brings unique skills, perspectives, and ways of learning; and together, we use them to solve problems and find solutions for whatever comes our way. The common thread? A deep commitment to supporting each other, and the community, no matter what."![]()
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- Secretary John Marsh ![]()
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#FightingForOurFuture![]()
#FFOF
Pausing in memory of those who lost their lives on 11 September 2001, including 412 emergency responders of which 343 were firefighters (a total that exceeds the Platoon size of firefighters serving the state of WA at any one time). ![]()
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It is also important to acknowledge those who have succumbed to illness as a result of the toxic substances from ground zero and to take note of the lessons that have been learnt about PPE/C (especially respiratory), USAR operations and response to high-rise emergencies. ![]()
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(AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)
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