It’s time, but fireman Des hates saying goodbye

By Lily PASS

STATION officer Des Falconer has described his 40-year firefighting career as one he’s “been so lucky to be a part of” and “not all beer and skittles”.

“It’s impossible to predict what will happen on your shift – from a child with his leg stuck in his push bike through to hazardous material spills, fully involved fires, car accidents or medical assists,” he says as he pre pares to retire this week.

Since joining the ACT Fire Brigade in March, 1983, Des has worked across all of Canberra’s nine fire stations, where he specialised in technical rescue. His specialisation saw him work during the Thredbo disaster, fight the 2003 bushfires, be first attending of ficer at more than 4500 incidents and be awarded a Churchill Fellowship.

“It’s a job where camaraderie is important, a true team environment where we live and eat together, shar ing the good and not-so-good times,” he says.

Des, 64, was an electrician in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, with no plans to become a firefighter.

But, when interest rates went up, through Duffy just after the fires went through. To see the despair was horrible, and it was emotional. It was our job to protect these people and four people died, 400 houses were lost.

“Sometimes there are some jobs you wish you hadn’t seen.”

Fortunately, Des says, he’s got strong support systems behind him.

“You have to remind yourself that it’s not your fault, and you’re there to do the best you can. We have a very good critical-incident stress structure, which has been in place for over 25 years, and it’s about looking after each other as fellow firefighters, and I have a good, strong family support system as well,” he says.

“The satisfying parts of the job are going to a car accident and extricating people who are not hurt, or going to fires where you can contain the fire to one room and save people’s belongings

“I just really love coming to work. I am struggling to retire, but I have enjoyed every day and I know I’m leaving it in good hands. The young firefighters are fun to work with; they’re so keen and everything is an adventure – even getting lunch.

“I’m jealous of the young guys and girls now, I wish I was starting again,” he says, and to sum it all up… “a retired firefighter friend summed it up nicely when he said ‘I won’t miss the circus, but I’ll miss the clowns’.”