Very unfortunately Australia is prone to bushfires every single year. I used to live in Perth but I live for hours away from Perth now. I used to be the type of person that would watch all hours of the day and all hours of the night at anything I could get on what was going on. It is hard when as a firefighter you have left and are no longer in service. It is hard watching, it is hard remembering. It is like you are leaving your crew out there. I still have my uniform. It is one thing I can never get rid of. At times, I have wanted to just chuck it on, turn up and say right where do you need me?
I always stop myself. I stop myself because as much as I want to help, I can also no longer handle the job itself I do not think. I am angry every year when these bushfires come along. Angry because I feel powerless, angry because people don't listen, angry because people lose their lives and homes, angry because firefighters lose their lives, angry with the fire itself, angry with the government and and even angrier if it has been lit on purpose.
Powderfinger