MEET THE LOCAL FIERIES Bruce Smith:

Meet Bruce Smith, a dedicated security control room operator who skilfully balances his full-time job with the demanding role of being an auxiliary firefighter.

As a shift worker with the council, Bruce spends his days ensuring the safety and security of the community, a responsibility that requires constant vigilance. Due to the nature of his primary job, he can only respond to fire calls during his off shifts. However, this limitation hasn’t dampened his passion for helping others—a passion that led him to join the State Emergency Service (SES) six years ago and become an auxiliary firefighter three years later.

Bruce’s inspiration to serve as a firefighter came from a deep desire to give back to his community. Although balancing these two demanding roles isn’t easy, the support of his partner and three children makes it possible.

“I’m not allowed to leave my primary job, so I’m only available on my days off. But it’s not too bad,” Bruce says, emphasising the importance of a strong family support system.

A typical callout for Bruce can range from smoke alarm activations to road traffic accidents and hazardous material incidents. The unpredictability of the calls, especially those involving children, can be stressful. However, the presence of a support system within the fire service helps mitigate the emotional strain.

Training is rigorous and ongoing, with sessions every Monday night covering everything from road crash rescues to electrical incident management. Bruce advises those considering the role to be prepared for the unpredictability of the job, including the possibility of missing personal events.

Outside of work, Bruce copes with the stress through hobbies like gaming, fishing, and camping—activities that offer a much-needed escape from the demands of firefighting. Despite the challenges, his commitment to helping others remains unwavering, making Bruce Smith a true community hero.

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Bruce Smith

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