Volunteer Fire Fighter

Two years ago my son was about to experience a nightmare.  It was two days before his 21st birthday that he headed out on a fire tanker to assist with any possible fires that may occurr.  The weather had been a continuous day after day of hot temperatures, north winds and extreme fire danger ratings; combined with a country side that was dry.  Perfect fire conditions.It was only a matter of time.

His 21st was celebrated in the middle of the bush with 20 other fire fighters singing him happy birthday. Later a quick call to home to let me know he was okay.

It was the day after that all hell broke loose. I wasn’t aware till late in the day just what was unfolding. It was when i finished work and heading home I heard the first reports of fires having broken and listened to the voices reporting the hell erupting before them. I remember pulling over to the side of the road and telling my self it was just the press over dramatising it as usual. I really had no idea.

Late in the evening the reports started confirming towns which had just ceased to exist, lives lost and the fires that just didn’t fit any pattern known and were out of control.

As another anniversary approaches so do the memories flood back, I dont claim to know what my son experienced on the front line, only that as a mother I have my own memories and brief snippets from the conversations he and I have had this past couple of years.  I know when he cant sleep for the nightmare is back

It was five days after his birthday before I heard again from him again. The best phone call I have ever had. As the fire season is now again upon us I have been asked in the past few days would I stop him going again if we face again the horrors of that year. No I wont stop him. Yes i worry and pray every time he leaves but I know its not my right to tell him not to go. I can only make sure he knows i support him 100 percent.

Summer means having his kit bag packed.  Its a time where we dont plan ahead, we just go with the flow and take each day as it comes..

So all I ask is if you are aware that someone's son, daugher, partner are away fighting a fire then spare some time and be patient with those still at home waiting for them to return. For each time the news report comes on we dread the worst. So bear with us if we seem fixated on what is happening on the fire front, if we cant seem to talk about anything other than that, if we forget some arrangement we made or arent our usual self.
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special thanks to Richard Briley Jr for his help