The secret life of a rural fire-fighter
IT has been exactly a decade since Mark Saunders joined the Warwick rural fire-fighters, and the volunteer said he would not change a thing.
By day, Mr Saunders is the Southern Downs Regional Council's disaster management coordinator, and by night, he is the deputy group officer for the Warwick area.
"I really like volunteering because of the camaraderie," he said.
"I have met heaps of people locally and elsewhere, and made lifelong friends."
Mr Saunders said being a volunteer was a rewarding feeling.
"On your good days, you come home and think, "I really nailed it,"" he said.
"It's the feeling of helping out and making a difference.
"One of my most memorable experiences was when there was a fire near my neighbour's place.
"I knew the facts, I could calm them down and say, "It's alright, we're getting it sorted.""
Volunteer training courses are provided by the rural fire service when you first join.
"You can't learn to be a fire fighter overnight," Mr Saunders said.
"Start earlier rather than later, so you are trained and ready when a bushfire does happen."
He said this time of year was the most difficult for volunteer fire-fighters
"A lot of people are away or enjoying the festivities," he said.
Why not start the new year by volunteering? The fire service works around your availability. Check out ruralfire.qld.gov.au/Volunteering/ and help make a real difference.
