The Blue Mountains has gained five on-call (retained) firefighters, who graduated at a Fire and Rescue NSW ceremony in Sydney last week. 

Firefighters Brian Smith and Aidan Ryan have joined the Lawson brigade, Victoria O’Donoghue and Gary Stewart have swelled the ranks of the Leura brigade and Karl Saltzer is stationed in Blackheath. 

Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle welcomed the new graduates. 

“It’s always good to see more firefighters in the Mountains,” Ms Doyle said. 

 “I want to thank you all for your commitment to our community. You will play an important role in keeping our community safe and I thank you for your dedication.” 

Becoming a firefighter has been Brian Smith’s long-held ambition. 

“It’s been my dream job since I was a little kid,” the Hazelbrook resident said. 

“I never made it happen and I’m now 45 and thought maybe it’s time I should make it happen.” 

He’s already been called out to car accidents, house fires and oil spills, and is enjoying the work and giving back to the community. 

Karl Saltzer from Blackheath has given back to the community for years as a volunteer firefighter with the Blackheath/Mount Victoria Rural Fire Service. 

Last year he attended a FRNSW information night and decided to expand his breadth of firefighting experience.  

Maintaining his regular job as a risk and compliance professional, Mr Saltzer can expand his firefighting experience in an on-call capacity. 

“I’ve been to vehicle rollovers, assisted the ambos and responded to fire alarms,” he said. 

“Being there to help out, hopefully that makes a difference.” 

The five Blue Mountains recruits are among 172 permanent firefighters and 72 on-call firefighters who graduated on July 3, following rigorous training and assessments of mental and physical skills.  

Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said: “Becoming a firefighter is a competitive and challenging process, I’d like to congratulate every successful graduate joining the Fire and Rescue NSW ranks today. 

“Wherever they are stationed, I know that every new first responder will represent the service to the best of their abilities to protect their communities.” 

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said: “I’m always proud to see the men and women who come from different backgrounds to join Fire and Rescue NSW and bolster fire protection across the state. 

“It’s also fantastic to know that so many graduates are following in the footsteps of family members who have served the state before them. 

“These new firefighters are prepared for anything following training courses that tested their mental and physical strengths.” 

MEDIA: 

FRNSW Media | (02) 9265 2907 

Ilsa Cunningham | Trish Doyle MP | (02) 4751 3298, bluemountains@parliament.nsw.gov.au