Deren Sen impersonated firefighter at Loftus bushfire
An Elvis tribute artist’s burning love for photography got him all shook up when he posed as a NSW Fire and Rescue media officer to take photos of an out-of-control NSW bushfire in catastrophic conditions.
St George Shire Standard
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An Elvis tribute artist and aspiring photographer impersonated a NSW Fire and Rescue media officer so he could take photos at an out-of-control bushfire in Sydney’s south.
Deren Sen’s burning love for music, photography and journalism landed him in strife when he dressed up in a uniform he had bought on eBay and travelled to the bushfire in the Royal National Park near Loftus on November 12 last year.
The 19-year-old photography enthusiast had ventured into the highly dangerous fireground in the hope of advancing his career with images and footage of the blaze which erupted late that evening.
At Sutherland Local Court, Magistrate Michael Love said the western Sydney musician and actor attracted the attention of nearby volunteer firefighters because he was not wearing vital protective gear such as a helmet.
“(Police were directing traffic) when Sen made inquiries about the location of the fire,” Mr Love said.
“He said he was with the NSW Fire and Rescue media unit and he was there to record and take photos of the fires.”
Moments later police received a radio message alerting them to the offender’s presence near the fires and he was arrested and charged with impersonating an emergency services worker.
Sen pleaded guilty at Sutherland Local Court and was sentenced to an 18-month conditional release order.
“He thought he would get to attend the fires by dressing up and impersonating the media for Fire and Rescue,” Mr Love said.
“He had success – he took some photos which he sent to the local fire station and they were put on social media.”
His solicitor told Sutherland Local Court the western Sydney musician and actor was simply attempting to “glorify” and not hinder the efforts of firefighters at the bushfire.
Mr Love agreed he was generally a law-abiding citizen who had no prior criminal record.
“He has transgressed in an attempt to further his career,” Mr Love said.
“Of concern is that firefighters have tragically lost their lives on the fire grounds protecting the community – the fact he was in an active fireground could have had very serious implications, he wasn’t qualified to be in that area and I believe he understands that.”
Sen had applied to become a firefighter in 2018 and was rejected, after previously doing work experience with NSW Fire and Rescue as a student at Granville South High School.
He frequently performs Elvis tribute shows at Merrylands RSL and at other private events such as lunch cruises in Sydney Harbour.
He also appeared in Grease! Live alongside ex-rugby league star and entertainer Beau Ryan.
Aside from his artistic pursuits Sen also has his own brand of handmade candles.
