Eurimbula Rural Fire Services’ Chris Noakes was recently crowned the RFS Central QLD Young Volunteer of the Year

“The best thing about helping the community is it gives you the opportunity to help people in their time of need.”

Chris Noakes, 24, was recently named the Young Volunteer of the Year for the Rural Fire Services' Central Queensland division.

A Eurimbula man who volunteers for both the Rural Fire Service and the Queensland Ambulance Service has been recognised for his tireless efforts.

Chris Noakes, 24, was recently named the Young Volunteer of the Year for the Rural Fire Services' Central Queensland division.

In his eighth year with the RFS, Mr Noakes said the best thing about helping the community was the opportunities it brings.

“It gives you the chance to help people in their time of need,” he said.

“You are meeting people that are really upset and struggling to comprehend what’s going on and you are sent to help them get back on their feet.”

Having joined the RFS at 16 years old, Mr Noakes said he had learnt valuable life lessons.

“I’ve learnt a lot about teamwork, that brigades are like family, that everyone can get involved and help the community and the RFS is very community minded,” he said.

“I don’t really have anyone that inspired me to become involved, I just saw the yellow trucks going past my place on the regular so I thought I’d get involved.”

Mr Noakes said he hoped to also continue his involvement with the Queensland Ambulance Service as a volunteer driver into the future.

“A few of my mates with the QAS asked me if I wanted to join as a volunteer driver because it wasn’t really advertised. I inquired about it, applied for it and have been doing that for six years now,” he said.

“I want to keep volunteering and helping as many people as I can right throughout Central Queensland.”