Inspector Craig Davies of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) concluded his distinguished 40-year career today by passing the torch to his son James, also a firefighter. Despite initially training as a fitter and turner, Davies was inspired by a family legacy of firefighting, which includes his father, two uncles, and a cousin, giving him a lifelong desire to serve the community.
Early Career and First Response
Davies began his firefighting journey as an on-call firefighter in Mortdale in August 1983, during an era without mobile phones or pagers. Alerted to fire calls by ringing bells from the local station or those attached to his home, he joined the permanent ranks the following year, calling it "the best decision I've ever made." His inaugural incident involved rescuing a family’s pet cat from a house fire, an event remembered fondly due to the thank-you card and cake he received from the family.
Reflections on a Changing Profession
Throughout his career, Davies witnessed considerable advancements in firefighting techniques, equipment, training, and uniforms. He highlights the increased focus on the mental health and physical well-being of firefighters as one of the most significant changes over his decades of service. “Over my 40 years in firefighting, there have been substantial changes," Davies reflected.
Leadership and Legacy
Concluding his tenure as Duty Commander of Metropolitan West 2 (MW2), Davies oversaw operations for numerous stations in Sydney's west and northwest. Continuing the family tradition, his son James, who joined FRNSW in 2003, now assumes his father’s role. "Family combinations are not uncommon in FRNSW," noted Inspector James Davies, expressing his commitment to maintaining firefighting as a valued career for future generations.
Acknowledgements and Farewell
Superintendent Andrew Shurety, Commander of MW2 Zone, praised Inspector Davies for his “invaluable contribution to his local community over an extraordinary period of time,” and wished him well in his retirement. Davies was honored with a traditional 'march out' event at Parramatta Fire Station. Meanwhile, his wife, Station Officer Robin Weckert, is planning to join him in retirement soon.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) veteran Inspector Craig Davies today has handed over his firefighting duties to son James, calling time on his 40-year career of protecting and educating communities against emergencies.
Despite completing an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner in his younger years, Inspector Davies knew all along he was destined to become a firefighter.
After all, his father, two uncles, and a cousin had all worked as firemen, giving him an early taste of what brigade life was like and how it tapped into his common desire to help others.
On-call firefighter
Inspector Davies joined as an on-call firefighter at Mortdale in August 1983
Inspector Davies joined as an on-call firefighter at Mortdale in August 1983 – long before the advent of mobile phones and pagers; a time when the only way he could be alerted to a fire call was by hearing bells blaring from the local station or fixed to his home.
He joined the permanent ranks a year later, and nearly four decades later, still describes that move as “the best decision I’ve ever made.”
The first incident Inspector Davies responded to in his career was a house fire, from which he retrieved a family’s pet cat and gave it life-saving oxygen.
40 years in firefighting
“The following week, I received a ‘thank you’ card and a cake – from the cat!” he recalled today with amusement.
Inspector Davies said he has enjoyed the variety of work, the at-times exciting jobs, the wonderful people he worked with, and the uniquely positive impact he had on people he helped.
“Over my 40 years in firefighting, there have been substantial changes to equipment, training, and uniform, but I think the biggest change has been in supporting the mental health and physical well-being of firefighters,” he said.
Duty Commander
Inspector Davies finishes his career in the role of Duty Commander in the ‘Metropolitan West 2’
Inspector Davies finishes his career in the role of Duty Commander in the ‘Metropolitan West 2’ (MW2) zone – responsible for a dozen stations in Sydney’s west and north-west.
Fittingly, his son, James, who joined FRNSW in 2003, has now taken on this same role. “Family combinations are not uncommon in FRNSW, and this is because so many people hold firefighting in such high regard,” Inspector James Davies said.
“As a third-generation firefighter, and having three young children of my own, I want to positively contribute to ensuring firefighting is as much a rewarding career option for future generations as it has been for us.”
Invaluable contribution
MW2 Zone Commander, Superintendent Andrew Shurety, said, “Inspector Davies has made an invaluable contribution to his local community over an extraordinary period of time.”
“We thank him for his hard work, and hope he enjoys retirement, knowing FRNSW’s future is in safe hands with people like his son James leading the way.”
Inspector Davies was farewelled with a traditional ‘march out’ event held at Parramatta Fire Station. His wife, Station Officer Robin Weckert, will join him in retirement in the coming months.
