Firefighting is often thought of as one of the ‘noble’ professions. Like police officers, nurses and paramedics among others, firefighters don’t do what they do because of the millions of dollars, the fame or the comfort of an easy life. So why do they do it? We often look up to firefighters when we’re children.

 

They’re brave, they risk their lives for the sake of others and they get to drive around in a big red fire truck. But is it all as heroic as we grow up imagining?

 

In this podcast, we hear from Murdoch Station Officer, Cameron Famlonga (pictured on the far right), who shares some of the enjoyable highs and disappointing, often testing lows of being a firefighter. From mental illness and strategies to deal with PTSD to school visits with children, Cameron shares what he loves about his job and what he struggles with. If active citizenship is getting involved in the community and helping others, firefighters like Cameron are a shining example of a life spent doing so.