When Eric Dyke was asked to volunteer as an auxiliary firefighter with the crew at the Gin Gin Urban Station, he saw it as a way to support his community.
After almost 23 years of service the Bundaberg Regional Council Senior Land Protection Officer is glad he accepted the challenge.
Eric was recently a recipient of the Brian Prince Award for excellence in emergency services and is proud to be recognised for his service.
The award, named in honour of the late Brian Prince who was a dedicated and much-loved paramedic, serves as a thank you to dedicated frontline personnel.
The evening was organised and hosted by Bundaberg Central Rotary and took place at the Waves Sports Club.
As an auxiliary firefighter, Eric has undertaken a broad range of tasks and in 2010 took it to the next level to become Captain of the Gin Gin Urban Station.
“I’ve attended road crash rescues, structural fires, grass and bush fires, swift water and vertical rescues as well as Hazmat incidents,” Eric said.
“I’ve also provided assistance with first aid, CPR and fire safety activities and have assisted the Queensland Ambulance Service with patient evacuations.”
There are several significant incidents Eric recalls including being the first attending unit to the tilt train derailment at Rosedale in 2004, fighting the bush fires at Gaeta and helping with the 2013 floods.
Eric said he has built a close bond with his fellow firefighters and not knowing what each day had in store appealed to him.
“If anyone is interested in a very exciting career you would be hard pressed to go past the fire service,” he said.
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