Concord’s newest firefighting recruit thrilled to be role model, part of the team

For Dane Leray’s two-year-old son, having a real-life firefighter in the house is about as good as it gets.

One of 16 Sydney firefighters graduates, Dane Leray stands with his new uniform in Concord Fire Station. Picture: Monique Harmer

• Inner west builders fined for unauthorised works
• ‘You put the uniform on, and you’re proud to wear it’

Dane Leray and his son both have a keen interest in firefighting.

When Mr Leray gets home from his new job at Concord Fire Station, his two-year-old son points to the cupboard and says “hat, hat, hat”.

Mr Leray has come to understand this as a request to put on all his firefighter gear.

“He’s obsessed with fire trucks and everything to do with firefighting,” he said.

Mr Leray is proud that he can be a role model to his son, after graduating as one of 16 Sydney fire and rescue firefighters last month.

“It’s that kind of job where you put the uniform on, and you’re proud to wear it.”

Concord new recruit Dane Leray poses for a photo at Concord Fire Station. Picture: Monique Harmer

Mr Leray’s dream of becoming a firefighter started in university when he was studying sports science.

The students looked into how firefighting affected the body and, instead of being intrigued in the science, he was fascinated with the job.

After Mr Leray studied sports science, he became a P.E. teacher, and then went back to university to study physiotherapy.

His last job was in the rehabilitation ward at St George Hospital, helping stroke patients get back on their feet.

This was Mr Leray’s third attempt at getting into the fire brigade, through a “pretty intensive” process, but he said in the end, “it’s everything I wanted it to be.”

IN OTHER NEWS