Brad Lennon appears to be the perfect fit for his new role as a District Officer with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Far West Team.
Brad’s new position with the RFS requires him to work with the community and NSW RFS members to prepare for and prevent fires; to liaise with property owners regarding their fire fighting equipment and vehicle needs and issues; to service fire tankers; and to organise repairs to RFS equipment when needed.
As a retained firefighter for the past 15+ years with Fire & Rescue NSW Station 256; and having worked in both Cobar Shire Council and Shoalhaven City Council workshops becoming familiar with various equipment repairs, needs and capabilities; coupled with Brad knowing a good number of local landholders; and not to mention his passion for travelling around the outback; it seems that Brad’s new job is all of his old jobs and his hobbies rolled into one!
Brad commenced in his new position with the RFS last month and, for the first few days, underwent bushfire pump operations and First Aid RFS training which he said was a great refresher.
Because of non-essential travel restrictions now being in place, rather than attend further face-to-face training in Broken Hill, Brad has been working through a series of RFS online training modules to help him gain the skills he needs for the role.
To say that Brad is thrilled with his new Far West Team “office” is an understatement as he’ll be working across the vast Far West area that includes the Bourke, Brewarrina, Central Darling and Cobar Local Government Areas along with the Unincorporated Area.
Although Brad believes his biggest challenge in his new role might be him learning where the brigade stations are located without getting lost in the process.
Brad said he’s enjoyed the variety of work that the role has presented to him over his first few weeks.
“So far that’s been AED [Automated External Defibrillators] unit servicing and changing over each unit located on 90 odd fire tankers and support vehicles (which is still ongoing) and liaising with property owners for any equipment needs and or vehicle issues,” Brad said.
Brad is no stranger to the RFS having served with the South Coast RFS unit from 2002 to 2004 prior to moving to Cobar.
He’ll also be working alongside a “mate” in Greg Martin, a former police officer, who is the RFS Far West Team’s other District Officer.
“I think this role suits me well.
“Along with my passion and involvement with fire fighting and being able to help others in need, I feel in this role I can serve the community and my employer in the best way possible,” Brad said.
