Family’s firefighting tradition to live on as veteran bows out after 40 years - Parramatta
Published: 31 Jul 2023 12:16pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) veteran Inspector Craig Davies today has handed over his firefighting duties to son James, calling time on his 40-year career of protecting and educating communities against emergencies.
Despite completing an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner in his younger years, Inspector Davies knew all along he was destined to become a firefighter.
After all, his father, two uncles and a cousin had all worked as firemen, giving him an early taste of what brigade life was like and how it tapped into his common desire to help others.
Inspector Davies joined as an on-call firefighter at Mortdale in August 1983 – long before the advent of mobile phones and pagers; a time when the only way he could be alerted to a fire call was by hearing bells blaring from the local station or fixed to his home.
He joined the permanent ranks a year later, and nearly four decades later, still describes that move as “the best decision I’ve ever made.”
The first incident Inspector Davies responded to in his career was a house fire, from which he retrieved a family’s pet cat and gave it life-saving oxygen.
“The following week, I received a ‘thank you’ card and a cake – from the cat!” he today recalled with amusement.
Inspector Davies said he has enjoyed the variety of work, the at-times exciting jobs, the wonderful people he worked with, and the uniquely positive impact he had on people he helped.
“Over my 40 years in firefighting there have been substantial changes to equipment, training and uniform, but I think the biggest change has been in supporting the mental health and physical wellbeing of firefighters,” he said.
Inspector Davies finishes his career in the role of Duty Commander in the ‘Metropolitan West 2’ (MW2) zone – responsible for a dozen stations in Sydney’s west and north-west.
Fittingly, his son, James, who joined FRNSW in 2003, has now taken on this same role.
“Family combinations are not uncommon in FRNSW, and this is because so many people hold firefighting in such high regard,” Inspector James Davies said.
“As a third generation firefighter, and having three young children of my own, I want to positively contribute to ensuring firefighting is as much a rewarding career option for future generations as it has been for us.”
MW2 Zone Commander, Superintendent Andrew Shurety, said, “Inspector Davies has made an invaluable contribution to his local community over an extraordinary period of time.”
“We thank him for his hard work, and hope he enjoys retirement, knowing FRNSW’s future is in safe hands with people like his son James leading the way.”
Inspector Davies was farewelled with a traditional ‘march out’ event held at Parramatta Fire Station.
His wife, Station Officer Robin Weckert, will join him in retirement in coming months.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Additional photos of Inspector Davies and his family are available for download via the FRNSW website.
Updated: 31 Jul 2023 03:35pm
Related safety topics
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
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110-114 Wigram Street, Harris Park (Parramatta) NSW 2150
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