Firefighting tradition continues for Hills family

Published: 15th December 2011

Firefighting is in the blood of the Hills District’s Aisbett family, with third-generation firefighter Jason Aisbett joining the ranks of Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) after graduating from the State Training College at Alexandria today.

Firefighter Aisbett, 25, was among the 24 recruits who graduated from the challenging 13-week FRNSW training course and follows in the footsteps of his father, Castle Hill-based Senior Firefighter Jim Aisbett, and grandfather, retired Station Officer John Aisbett.

“I have been around the fire service and firefighters all my life,” Firefighter Aisbett said.

“I would hear about the things my dad and my grandfather did at work and see how they helped people in the community. I would always go to the fire station open days and see all the kids and families there and I just knew that being a firefighter was what I wanted to do.”

His father, Senior Firefighter Jim Aisbett, said he and Jason’s grandfather were proud to see a thirdgeneration Aisbett join the fire service’s ranks.

“Our family has given unbroken service to FRNSW (formerly the NSW Fire Brigades) since 1969, when my father joined, and will continue to do so for many more years to come,” said Senior Firefighter Aisbett.

“My father loved being a firefighter and enjoyed the camaraderie and mateship of the people he worked with. I joined up as well, first as a retained, or on-call, firefighter, then I became a full-time firefighter in 1989 and I haven’t looked back.”

Retired firefighter John Aisbett travelled from Kiama to attend his grandson’s graduation ceremony at Alexandria.

FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins congratulated the 24 recruits on their graduation from the gruelling 13-week course.

“The recruits have been trained in firefighting, road accident rescue, community risk management, fire technology and hazardous materials management,” said Commissioner Mullins.

“They will now put their intensive training and skills into action, joining suburban fire crews throughout metropolitan Sydney.’’