Noel Heafield grew up with stories about the Country Fire Authority. It’s the best job in the world, his brothers would say.
The 37-year-old Ballan man can now witness first-hand the triumphs and tribulations of being a firefighter.
Mr Heafield graduated on July 31, and has been posted to the Belmont Fire Brigade in the Geelong region.
“It’s been great so far – everyone looks out for each other and there’s a great deal of mateship and camaraderie.”
Mr Heafield is the third of three brothers to join the CFA as career firefighters. All three started their careers in Geelong.
Eldest brother Tony was stationed in Geelong city as a new recruit in 2011. Today, he’s senior station officer at Ocean Grove.
In 2003, middle brother Terry graduated from recruit training and was stationed at Corio. He’s now operations officer for CFA District 23, based in Wangaratta.
For all three brothers, the CFA has been a career change. Noel was a zookeeper, Tony a fitter and turner and Terry an information technology manager.
Terry said the career change was a welcome change of direction.
Asked if he has aspirations to follow in his brothers’ footsteps by taking up a leadership position within the CFA, Noel says he has “shorter-term goals”.
“At the moment I’m just focusing on being the best I can be,” he said.
