Meet Sergeant Bruce Bolger
SGT Bruce Bolger from the Australian Defence Force at Camp Kerr Training Facility also works as an Auxiliary firefighter with the Tin Can Bay Fire Station
SGT Bruce Bolger is an active member of our community, working as a firefighter with the QFES Auxiliary, Tin Can Bay and the Australian Defence Force as the Assistant Range Control Officer (ARCO) at Camp Kerr, Wide Bay Training Facility.
We met Sergeant Bolger to discuss his passion for serving the community and how he manages full time work whilst responding to QFES emergencies.
SGT Bolger explained, “I joined the Defence Force in July 1998 and was allocated to the Royal Australian Armoured Corp (Cavalry).
“I’ve had numerous overseas deployments including East Timor, Middle East and Border protection with postings to Darwin, Puckapunyal, Brisbane, Sale.
“Whilst I work full time with the Defence Force at Camp Kerr which is both rewarding and challenging, I also work part-time as an Auxiliary firefighter as I feel a responsibility to serve my local community in a protective role”.
Auxiliary firefighters are paid part-time firefighters located in regional communities across Queensland. They provide an efficient and effective service by aiding in the preservation of life, property and the environment?.
Auxiliary firefighters are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whilst holding regular jobs, Auxiliary firefighters carry a pager and when QFES receive a 000 call, when possible “down tools” to respond to the emergency.
Just like full-time firefighters, they attend structural and environmental fires, road crashes, chemical spills and many other rescue scenarios. They also conduct building compliance inspections and community education activities.
“Being an auxiliary firefighter is exciting and rewarding as we receive world-class accredited training, enjoy the camaraderie of a close-knit team and, most importantly, we have the opportunity to make a real and worthwhile contribution to our local community,” said Mr Bolger.
Anyone can volunteer! The Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach station are actively looking for more locals to join as an Auxiliary firefighter.
If you would like more information regarding QFES Auxiliary, please visit www.qfes.qld.gov.au/about/Pages/Auxiliary-Firefighter
About Camp Kerr
The base is named in honour of Major General Donald Ross Kerr C.B.E. E.D. (1910-1984), who played an integral role in the formation of the Wide Bay Training Area in the period following World War 2.
Wide Bay Training Area has facilities for live firing of all small arms, anti-armour, mortars, AFV and field and medium artillery weapons. It also has suitable areas for driver training (wheel and track) and manoeuvre training at unit/sub-unit levels. Defence personnel from around Australia utilise the training area all year round.
