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Bunbury boy fired up to succeed

Headshot of Nicolette Barbas
Nicolette BarbasSouth Western Times
Jordan McIntosh, 16, hopes to be a firefighter once he finishes his mechanical apprenticeship.
Camera IconJordan McIntosh, 16, hopes to be a firefighter once he finishes his mechanical apprenticeship. Credit: Nicolette Barbas

When he was four years old, Jordan McIntosh had the privilege of sitting in the front seat of a metropolitan fire truck.

Now 16, the teenager’s dream of becoming a fireman is closer to reality than he could have ever imagined.

“In 2016 I joined the Emergency Services Cadet course at my school and through that I was given the opportunity to work with the Bunbury Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service,” Jordan said.

“One of the guys from the Bunbury VFRS mentioned the volunteer bushfire brigade and I ended up getting involved with them. Volunteering with the brigade has made me realise how much I want to pursue a career in this industry.”

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Throughout his time as a cadet at Bunbury’s Grace Christian School, Jordan has had many achievements.

Earlier this year he won the Cadet Achievement Award for his leadership and training skills and his commitment to enlist fellow students to train with the Bunbury Bushfire Brigade.

“The cadet program run through school has opened up pathways for me that I never would have looked at before,” he said.

“Now as a senior in the cadet program I get to mentor little kids and just seeing how stoked they are to be able to tie a knot is a pretty good feeling.”

A typical day for the Year 12 student involves a day of schooling followed by an afternoon of fighting fires.

“I am currently undertaking a school-based mechanical apprenticeship at Bunbury Diesel where I go a few times a week,” he said.

“Once I complete that I can go for a career as a fireman and having a trade behind me will help me get my foot in the door.

“There are times when I find myself having to catch up on school work and juggling my volunteer work in between, but I know the hard work will pay off in the end.”

Possessing strong leadership traits, Jordan enjoys helping people on a daily basis.

At the Mines Emergency Rescue Competition earlier this year he took part in the bushfire games and won the crew leader award.

“People are always telling me how much of a helpful person I am and I think that is part of the reason why I want to pursue a career as a firey,” he said.

“Being able to do that every day is something I know I would enjoy and be good at. Jordan was given the opportunity to face a mock scenario car crash at a DFES senior leadership camp in Jurien Bay last year where his passion for car crash rescue was ignited.

“Initially I found those situations quite confronting, but having dealt with them a fair bit now I feel more comfortable with them,” Jordan said.

“I really enjoy the rush of going to a fire, you never know what’s going to happen.

“There is definitely a physical and mental challenge to it, but seeing how much people appreciate what you do for them is the biggest highlight.”

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