IT’S easy to measure Robert Eckersley’s years of service as a retained firefighter. Each helmet represents a decade.
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Each of the four helmets lined up outside the West Tamworth station represents an average of 10 years since he joined the NSW Fire Brigade on March 19, 1973.
In that time he’s seen four appliances come through the station, from the old International 1600 truck to the shiny new Isuzu type two pumper with all the bells and whistles.
Even as a kid he knew he wanted to do two things in life – be a builder and a fireman – and he’s managed to do both and shows no signs of slowing down.
Mr Eckersley is now the longest serving firefighter at the West Tamworth station in the entity now known as NSW Fire and Rescue.
Another 40-year man, Reg Hudson retired in 1994, but retirement isn’t on the cards any time soon for this 40-year veteran.
A highlight in firefighting came in 2003 when he was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal for outstanding service to the Tamworth community, presented at Government House in Sydney. He’s only the second retained firefighter in NSW to achieve that distinction.
When he started his career, it was hard to get in and once you did, you usually stuck around.
These days, with shift workers and people moving from town to town with their jobs, there’s an ever-changing face to the firies.
During the day he’s a builder, but once he hears that bell, he drops everything and becomes a firefighter, which is how it’s always been.
Mr Eckersley paid tribute to his employers, from his first job with the Department of Main Roads, through to his present employer,
Austam Homes for allowing him to fulfil his vocation in life, and also to his family.
Wife Lorraine and daughters Renee and Lauren grew up with the fire service as part of their lives and have always been supportive of his dual careers.
Lorraine kept herself busy as an integral part of the Tamworth hockey fraternity, serving 25 years as secretary, and the girls both played.
His present role with Austam Homes takes him away from Tamworth during the week. He said he misses those daytime callouts but manages to be home on weekends just in case the bell rings.
For the past decade Mr Eckersley has been heavily involved in the NSW Firefighting Championships, although he no longer competes as he once did.
He’s taken on the role as presenter and manager of trophies and makes sure he’s on track to fire the starter’s gun for contestants pitting their skills in an enjoyable, rather than hazardous, environment.
Tamworth has hosted four state championships and one regional event, all of which he’s helped coordinate.
“I always wanted to be a firefighter. I think what I enjoy most about it is the fact you are helping people when they need it the most,” Mr Eckersley said.
