Alex Sinclair graduates Fire and Rescue Academy Myall Coast Myall Coast - popup ad Myall Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - December 6, 2023 Alex in action with the Rural Fire Service. . NEWLY minted Tea Gardens firefighter Alex Sinclair formally graduated from the NSW Fire and Rescue Emergency Services Academy on Friday, 1 December. The ceremony for retained and permanent firefighters was held at the state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility in Orchard Hills, far-western Sydney, in conjunction with the commencement of the new Fire and Rescue Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Also attending were NSW State Governor Margaret Beazley, Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib, and Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of other emergency services of NSW. Alex brought his love of firefighting with him when he moved to the area from Orange, and started volunteering with the Pindimar/Tea Gardens Rural Fire Service five years ago. Though first applying for a Fire and Rescue position in late 2021, a one-and-a-half year wait ensued before a position opened. “The ball started rolling late 2022, I had to pass medicals and physicals, got a Letter of Offer, then commenced training in May this year,” Alex told NOTA. “My training was in Armidale, two phases over two weeks in the middle of this year.” “After that began my six-month probational period, and now, after graduating, I am a Retained On-Call Qualified Firefighter,” Alex said, a hint of well-earnt pride in his voice. Alex shared with NOTA his motivations for pursuing this avenue. “When I was young, the family cat got under the house, my sister called 000, and Fire and Rescue from Orange turned up – I watched them come down the street with sirens, helping and giving back to the community, they would turn up for any call, even just for a cat under the house.” Alex comes from a pedigree of firefighters, with one grandfather, John Traves, a firefighter at Canowindra, and the other, Malcolm Sinclair, was Captain at Euchareena RFS. “Seeing him do the job was a real inspiration.” “From here I will gain more qualifications with Fire and Rescue, and within three to four years’ time, look for an avenue to a permanent position.” “Of course, I would recommend anyone who wants to put in, give back, to have a go and join, ASAP.” By Thomas O’KEEFE Demonstrating how to access a badly damaged car in a motor vehicle accident. Alex Sinclair saluting the new Fire and Rescue Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell at the graduation in Sydney. The proud Sinclair clan. (L-R) Brother James, mum Karen, Alex, dad Phil and sister Elise.
