A Firefighter’s Self-Preservation: 40 years in the Fire Brigade
“It keeps me out of the pub”
With his 71st birthday approaching on the horizon, Mick Bloomfield A.K.A. “Captain Grumpy” has been serving an impressive 40 years in the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) as a volunteer firefighter. Maintaining the rank of Captain for the last 17 years in the Lucknow Fire Brigade, Mick has no plans slowing down nor hanging up his firefighter’s helmet, considering three years ago he was supposed to officially retire from the Rural Fire Service but here we are still. Justifying his continuous as a volunteer, “I do this because someone’s got to do it, and if I retired, what would I do with myself,” Mick admits.
This is certainly a lifestyle and passion for Mick. His love for what he does through the brigade from attending fire incidents, helping the public to inspiring the next generation of firefighters through a cadet program he assists in running with local schools and the Canobolas Zone Fire Control Centre. “I get a lot of self-satisfaction out of what I do as a volunteer, helping the community where I can and when called upon. Plus, it keeps me out of the pub,” which the Captain says with a big grin. Uniquely, what makes the last comment resonate more admirably, is the fact that Mick doesn’t like alcohol. “I’ve never been interest in drinking and all that stuff,” he says.
Although it’s the following detail that perhaps solidifies Mick’s disinterest in alcohol. Being his beloved fire brigade responds to more motor vehicle accidents (MVA) than any other station within our local reach. With Mick personally responding to more than 170 car crashes along the Mitchell Highway, averaging one MVA a month per year since 1995. As you can imagine, Mick has witnessed some horrific scenes, from the consequences of not only driving under the influence, but accidents caused by fatigue, distraction, impatience, and inexperience. With Mick’s station being renowned for stocking flurry toy teddy bears in their fire tankers as he explains, “We give the teddy bears to kids and adults at these crashes. You’ll be surprised what a little teddy bear will do for an adult who’s just been pulled from a car accident. It makes things easier to bear.”
When asked what the impetus was for “Captain Grumpy” joining the RFS all those years ago. It didn’t take long for Mick to respond with a story. He remembers it clear as day. “My wife and I had always volunteered and got involved in things all our lives for many different events and organisations. But I joined the Fire Brigade out of necessity. There’s a story behind it, years ago the kids were smoking under the pine trees and accidentally set fire to them. The kids came down and said, ‘There’s a big fire up’ and farmers with their tractors and hoses came over to put the fire out. I said, ‘How did that happen?’ and the kids said, ‘Oh we were smoking’. So, I knew right then, out of self-preservation I should join the fire service,” Mick finishes with a chuckle. This is how it all began and now 40 years later and counting, Mick is still giving the good fight for his community.