AFTER eight weeks of intensive training in Sydney, firefighter Mark Cahill this week began his new role as station officer at Moree Fire Station.

In mid-October, Mr Cahill joined 20 other officers from across New South Wales to undertake the officer development course at the Fire and Rescue NSW Academy in Orchard Hills.

“Some of the topics covered during those two months included community risk reduction, fire investigation and building fire safety, which culminated in two weeks of scenario-based incident management assessments at Shellharbour,” Mr Cahill said.

He was promoted to the rank of station officer in July and was required to sit the officers’ promotion program before officially taking the role this week.

Mr Cahill, born-and-raised in Moree, began his career as an on-call officer in the early 1990s when he was 18 years of age.

He became a permanent firefighter through the general intake in 2001 and in 2018 racked up 25 years at Station 381 Moree.

Now with more than 30 years’ experience in Moree, Mr Cahill will oversee the local team.

“I currently have four permanent firefighters under my command, as well as 11 on-call firefighters,” Mr Cahill said.

“We still have numerous vacancies to fill, so anyone thinking about a firefighting career, or joining the on-call ranks, please call down to the station and have a chat with the Moree team.”

Fire and Rescue NSW in Moree responds to more than 900 calls a year.

(from left) Moree station officer Mark Cahill, with firefighters Adam James, Jacson Warner, Mitchell Lawler and Angus Gall at Moree Station 381.

These range from grass fires and bush fires, as well as property fires.

“We also assist other agencies, such as NSW Ambulance, NSW Police and NSW Rural Fire Service,” Mr Cahill said.

“We are also the combat agency for general land rescue within the Moree Plains Shire, which includes rescuing people from all types of vehicle accidents and entrapments to industrial incidents that can include on-farm or commercial accidents,” he said.

Moree Fire Station is staffed by a team of five permanent firefighters who are backed up by on-call fire-fighters – men and women who hold down regular jobs but are there when needed.

On-call captain Blake Cosgrove has worked with Mr Cahill for 10 years.

“It’s great to be able to secure station officers that are locals, not only for the local knowledge but having a long-term plan to stay local provides stability to the station,” Mr Cosgrove said.

“Mark began his career as an on-call firefighter and having a station officer that understands the on-call system and how demanding it can be at times is an added bonus.

“I look forward to working alongside Mark and congratulate him on his new position,” he said.

Mr Cosgrove said Station 381 Moree was always looking for more on-call staff.

On-call firefighters are highly skilled, ethical and professional men and women from all walks of life.

They support their local community by responding to emergency incidents from their home or workplace.

The work is paid, but challenging and rewarding, and involves day, night and weekend work.

On-call firefighters are trained to prevent and reduce the risk of fire and potential loss to life and property.

They work closely with the local community to increase fire safety awareness and promote fire prevention.

They also undertake all manner of rescue operations, deal with hazardous material incidents and assist other agencies with emergency medical responses and severe weather-related events.

Interested in a firefighting career?

Drop into Moree Fire Station and talk to crew members or go to Fire Up Your Career & Answer The Call.