Firefighter Craig Davies retires after 40 years with Fire and Rescue NSW

A family tradition led Craig Davies to become a firefighter and now he is farewelling a career that has spanned four decades, devastating bushfires and memorable rescues.

Loyal firefighter Craig Davies is retiring after 40 years on the job.

Veteran firefighter Craig Davies is retiring from 40 years of service with NSW Fire and Rescue but a strong family tradition ensures his legacy is firmly intact.

His father, two uncles and a cousin were firefighters in Sydney and his 39-year-old son James also joined the honourable profession. He made history when he became an inspector alongside his father at Parramatta this year.

“Since 1884, we’ve probably never had a father and son inspector at a station, it’s pretty rare and unique,’’ Insp Davies said.

“I’m extremely proud to see him coming through and do the same job as me, that’s really special.’’

Insp Davies was a 20-year-old rookie in 1983 when he joined the organisation then known as NSW Fire Brigades at Mortdale station.

NSW Fire and Rescue Parramatta inspector Craig Davies is retiring after 40 years on the job.

Since then he has worked on the frontline across Sydney and regional NSW including the Central Coast.

He was among scores of crews battling to save fire encroaching on properties during some of NSW’s most devastating natural disasters including the 1994, 2002, 2013 and 2019-2020 bushfires.

“We often have to help them evacuate. They are often stressed because they haven’t experienced conditions like that,’’ he said.

“They’re usually very thankful to see us there.’’

Insp Davies’ courage earned him the National Emergency Medal for the catastrophic 2019-20 fires and the Premier’s Citation for the 2013 bushfires that ravaged 35,000 hectares of the Blue Mountains.

Firefighter Craig Davies and his son James in 1986.

Since 1999, Insp Davies has taken on management roles and has been stationed at Parramatta for the past five years when he oversees 60 firefighters from 12 stations between Gladesville and Bonnyrigg.

Witnessing death is sadly an inevitable part of the job. Most recently he supervised his crews responding to the double fatality at a Wetherill Park house fire after an elderly couple perished there on July 12.

NSW Fire and Rescue Parramatta inspector Craig Davies (centre) celebrates his retirement with workmates at Parramatta station.

The following day, a 61-year-old woman was killed in a horror multi-car crash at Eastwood.

“These are the things that do play on your mind,’’ he said.

There are also cherished memories, like the times he rescued an unconscious elderly woman from a burning house at Caringbah and another person at Thornleigh.

The Mortdale resident notes how the organisation’s approach to mental health wellbeing for its employees has improved, as it has for multiple professions.

Technology has transformed daily operations. Mobile phones and computers were non-existent at stations in 1983 and firefighters were kitted out in uniforms the brigade had been wearing for a century, including brass helmets.

Craig (right) with his dad John and son James in 2005.

Now drones allow better views of how a fire is developing and thermal imaging can help track trapped people.

The number of females joining the ranks has also transformed the organisation and Insp Davies has been part of a campaign to upgrade stations for female-friendly facilities.

Insp Davies met his now wife Robin Weckert on the job at Lakemba in 2005 and she became one of NSW Fire and Rescue’s first female firefighters.

It’s the camaraderie with fellow firefighters and passion for helping others that has kept him in the profession so long.

“It’s exciting, it’s interesting. Sometimes it’s traumatic and at times challenging but there’s lots of great people to work with and what we can do for the community is really good, and help people when they really need it,’’ he said.

“The job itself doesn’t have much of a departure rate because it’s so good in terms of people we work and the nature of the job.’’

Now 60, Insp Davies is trading the fire truck for a cart, bicycle and caravan as he prepares to embrace golf, cycle and travel during retirement.

Originally published as Firefighter Craig Davies retires after 40 years with Fire and Rescue NSW