Our bushfire volunteers: Mick Jackson

Mick Jackson, Train Crewing and Support

Back in November, we featured some of Mick Jackson’s NSW RFS experiences in the early stages of the bushfire season, but we wanted to hear a little about what’s happened since.

Mick, a compliance officer, joined the RFS at the same time he started with Sydney Trains in July 2013. He says he’s been encouraged by the support provided to employees doing emergency services work.

“The Compliance and Assurance team is very supportive of my efforts at times like this and works with me so I’m able to undertake my RFS duties, particularly in long campaign fires such as what we’re currently experiencing around the state,” Mick said.

A member with the Narellan Rural Fire Brigade, Mick enjoys being able to volunteer alongside some work colleagues.

“It’s always good bumping into people from work and great to see there are plenty of other Sydney Trains staff from various directorates out there helping. Even recently on a nightshift strike team from Macarthur at Yerranderie, I was there with a Guard and Driver from Train Crewing & Support,” he said.

Mick highlights the “sheer speed and ferocity of the fires” around Sydney this season, particularly the Green Wattle Creek fire.

“In December, when it flared up and ran towards Oakdale, you’d be in an area surrounded by vegetation, then 15 minutes later the whole area was burnt black with spots of hot orange glows throughout.”

Mick says donations to local fire stations of food, water, first aid items, and even ice-blocks have been appreciated by volunteers working hard to battle fires. He encourages people to also support local communities by visiting the hardest hit areas.

“Rural areas and the State’s north have copped it very hard for several years of harsh drought and now fires,” Mick said.

“If you can, take a trip or two to a regional part of the State and stay at the local motel, buy a sandwich at the local shop, buy some produce from the local farmer and have a beer at the pub.

“It’ll go a long way to helping these communities who often rely on tourism, to keep them afloat.”