Firefighter Peter Curtis remembered as ‘family man’ at repatriation service
The body of a “real family man” and firefighter who died in the line of duty was farewelled on Wednesday in a special service by the CFS.
The death of 65-year-old firefighter Peter Curtis was “like losing a member of your family” for his fellow volunteers, who gathered for a special service for the Wirrabara local on Wednesday morning.
Father of four, grandfather of seven, and loving wife of Jackie, Peter, was working with the National Parks and Wildlife Services Brigade of the CFS on a low-level blaze at Pinkawillinie Conservation Park on November 23, about 60km west of Kimba, when he died suddenly.
The rest of his crew launched a search operation on the ground and in the air when they noticed Peter was missing but when they located his body, he was unable to be revived.
Peter’s wife Jackie sat sombrely during Wednesday’s service at the Torrens Parade Ground ahead of the firefighter’s repatriation to Port Pirie.
Members from the CFS, MFS, and Peter’s own National Parks and Wildlife team attended the emotional service, remembering the “real family man”.
National Parks and Public Lands executive director Mike Williams, CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin, Emergency Services Minister Rhiannon Pearce, and Environment Minister Lucy Hood spoke during Peter’s service, acknowledging the 65-year-old as someone who “was always first to put his hand up”.
SA Police and CFS vehicles lead Peter’s procession out of the parade ground and up King William Rd at noon on Wednesday.
Peter’s body was convoyed back to Port Pirie via Clare, Laura, his hometown of Wirrabara, and Wilmington, ahead of his funeral next week.
Peter’s funeral for family and friends will be held at The Old Nursery, in Wirrabara Forest, on Wednesday, December 10 at 10.30am.
Following the service, the cortege will proceed to the Wirrabara Cemetery for the committal.
A livestream of Peter’s service will be available on Meschke Funerals’ website.
He started work as a firefighter with Forestry SA in the Wirrabara area in 1995 and in 2017 joined the National Parks and Wildlife Services Brigade of the CFS.
Peter’s cousin, Noel Curtis, 67, said his sudden death was a shock to the family.
Growing up in Wirrabara in the Mid North, Noel remembered his “mischievous” and “good humoured” cousin saying they’d ride their motorbikes around a nearby water catchment and get into a bit of trouble.
Peter’s death is the first line of duty death of a Parks and Wildlife Service firefighter.
The exact details of his death are yet to be revealed as they are subject to an investigation.
Originally published as Firefighter Peter Curtis remembered as ‘family man’ at repatriation service
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