MEDOWIE teenager Aaron Lindsay could not have been happier when, just days before Christmas, he was finally able to join his team mates on a fire call.

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At just 16 years of age, Aaron is the youngest member of Medowie Rural Fire Brigade, transferring to Medowie after originally joining as a Junior member at Bowthorne / Hinton Brigade aged just 13 years.

“Ever since I was little I wanted to be a firefighter,” said Aaron.

“I remember, as a kid, watching shows like ‘Fireman Sam’ and that is what spurred me on to pursue my interest in becoming a firefighter.”

Unfortunately for the Tomaree High year 10 student, RFS members are not allowed to respond to incidents until they reach the age of 16.

“Although I wasn’t able to respond to the Lone Pine fires last year, I was still able to help around the station… helping crews as they came in for a break or refilling trucks ready to go back out.”

It took a joint effort between Medowie Brigade and RFS District Office to help Aaron’s Christmas wish come true.

“Once a Junior member reaches 16 years old they then have to pass a practical assessment to ensure they know what they are doing and it is safe for them to attend an incident,” said Senior Deputy Captain Peter Smith.

“Aaron had been so keen to turn-out after his birthday we couldn’t make him wait over the Christmas break as well.”

“With the help of the District Office we were able to arrange for a volunteer assessor from a neighbouring area to come out the weekend before Christmas and run Aaron through his assessment.”

Naturally, a diligent and enthusiastic Aaron passed his assessment and is now following in the footsteps of his parents, Grahame and Leanne Lindsay and older sister Brooke, volunteering with the Rural Fire Service.