30 May 2019

Inspiring new generation of firefighters adding fuel to Brooke Turner's fire

| Lachlan Roberts
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Brooke Turner

Brooke Turner is the Community Education Officer at Molonglo Brigade. Photos: Supplied.

Sitting in the car opening her mail, volunteer firefighter Brooke Turner’s heart sank when she saw an envelope with ACT Government stamp in the pile.

“I thought it was going to be a fine, to be honest,” she said with a laugh.

Her consternation soon turned to unbridled joy when the letter stated that she would receive the 2019 ACT Community Protection Medal, one of five Canberrans from ACT Policing and ACT Emergency Services Agency who were recognised for their outstanding contribution to protecting the ACT.

While balancing a full-time job in the public service, Ms Turner first volunteered to be a firefighter in the ACT Rural Fire Service in 2014 and credits sibling rivalry and the passing of her step-father as her motivation to become a volunteer.

Brooke Turner (middle) taking weather readings at ANU burn last Saturday. Photo: Supplied.

“I had been considering joining the ACT Fire and Rescue firefighters for years,” she told Region Media. “I spent a couple of years looking after my step-dad. When he passed away, it kind of woke me up and made me want to do something to help other people. My mum had been talking about firefighting and encouraging my brother to join, so my sibling rivalry kicked in and decided to join.”

Since then, Ms Turner has battled several fires throughout her five years in the service, including last year’s Pierce’s Creek bushfire. While her role was to lead a crew in mopping up and suppressing any hotspots in the rural bushland, it is educating the community and inspiring the next generation that brings her the most joy.

Ms Turner alongside ACT Policing Detective Sergeant John Giles, ACT State Emergency Service’s Gordon McAlpine, ACT Fire & Rescue Commander Patrick Brennan and ACT Ambulance Service’s Stuart Barnetson.

“I used to be a promoter so I enjoy that type of interaction with people so I decided that I could be community education officer,” she said. “During Pierce’s Creek fire, I was down at the Hyperdome handing out brochures and talking to people about what they should start to prepare in the event they would have to be evacuated.

“I also love meeting kids and inspiring the next generation to see that they can become volunteers or they can pursue a career in firefighting. Seeing a little girl’s face that comes up and gets really excited when they see a female firefighter is amazing.”

Ms Turner alongside ACT Policing Detective Sergeant John Giles, ACT State Emergency Service’s Gordon McAlpine, ACT Fire & Rescue Commander Patrick Brennan and ACT Ambulance Service’s Stuart Barnetson were presented medals on Tuesday afternoon (28 May) by ACT Emergency Minister Mick Gentleman.

“It is very humbling to be picked above all the rural firefighters in the service for this year,” she said. “I don’t know who nominated me but it was very sweet of them.”

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